S9778 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ponents wish. The tabling motion will The pending committee amendment THOMAS). The Senator from Maryland. come at the end of the discussion. We strikes this language. This is what we Ms. MIKULSKI. I thank the majority would like to make sure that everyone object to. I want to say at the outset, leader for his very kind words about who wants to be heard on this issue has it is very important, I spent almost 6 the way we have tried to move the bill. an opportunity. We do not yet have a years on the Science and Technology We, too, urge our colleagues to come time agreement. We talked about 2 Committee in the House of Representa- over, particularly those who now have hours last night. I would like to know tives before I came to the Senate. On an amendment that they wish to bring from the proponents, and will be dis- that committee I do not think there is to the floor. We were open for business cussing with them, how much time we anyone who was a stronger supporter of yesterday, did 4 hours of very good, need. There are some on our side who NASA or the space program. I contin- yeoman work. I think both sides of the wish to maintain the amendment. ued that support in my time in the aisle want to move the bill. We would I hope we can wrap up the debate in Senate. This is not, and I want to make like to concentrate on the major fairly short order this morning and it very clear, it is not a NASA-bashing amendments, space station and veter- then move to the tabling motion. But I amendment. I am not asking these ans health care, and if others would reserve my comments on the issue funds be taken out of NASA. I am just just come over and discuss them with until those who are proponents have an asking they not be spent on this par- us, we believe we can iron some of opportunity to present their views. ticular project, the Bion project. them out and move ahead. Ms. MIKULSKI. I think that is a very I thank the leader. good way to proceed. Hopefully, we can So let me make it very clear. This f conclude this before 11:30 and then be Senator has offered a number of able to move to the Iraqi amendment, amendments in the past to cut spend- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME so when we come back after the con- ing, and I am proud of them, but that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under ference we can dispose of both of those is not what this is. I am not trying to the previous order, leadership time is and be then ready to continue to move take the money from NASA. I am try- reserved. the bill. That is kind of the way I see ing to stop NASA from wasting money f it. that NASA probably could find good Mr. BOND. I thank the ranking mem- use for in some other way. DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AF- ber for her very helpful suggestions. I had hoped the committee would re- FAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN My view is we are now open for busi- tain the Bion language, given that it DEVELOPMENT, AND INDEPEND- ness for the next hour or so. We could ENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS have a very spirited debate on this im- passed the House by a majority of 73 ACT, 1997 portant issue, and I hope then we will votes. I felt it was reasonable that that language be retained. Frankly, I am The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under be in a position to resolve it. disappointed it was not. We had 147 Re- the previous order, the Senate will re- I ask my colleague from New Hamp- publicans and 96 Democrats on the sume consideration of H.R. 3666, which shire if he is ready to proceed. If so, I House side who supported the amend- the clerk will report. will yield the floor. The assistant legislative clerk read The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ment to eliminate that funding. as follows: ator from New Hampshire. There has been a great deal of criti- A bill (H.R. 3666) making appropriations EXCEPTED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ON PAGE 104, cism of the program from a wide vari- for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and LINES 21–24 ety of groups: the science community— Housing and Urban Development and for sun- Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, the pend- it is interesting—the science commu- dry independent agencies, boards, commis- ing amendment is a committee amend- nity; not all in the science community, sions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal ment to strike the language in the bill, but many; taxpayer groups, those who year ending September 30, 1997, and for other as the Senator from Missouri has just purposes. wish to save tax dollars; animal wel- indicated, that prohibits funding from fare organizations; and, as well, inter- The Senate resumed consideration of being used for the so-called Bion 11 and estingly enough, from people who had the bill. 12 missions. The amendment will pre- the courage to speak up inside NASA. Pending: vent the waste of approximately $15.5 So when we have NASA people, people Bond amendment No. 5167, to further million on wasteful research involving within the science community, animal amend certain provisions relating to hous- sending Russian primates into space. ing. rights organizations, and taxpayer Let me repeat that, because one may groups all together on an issue, I think Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I observe wonder why we are spending money to the absence of a quorum. it is worth the Senate’s time to look at send Russian primates into space. I it very carefully. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The wonder that myself, but that is what clerk will call the roll. we are talking about. What we are try- This letter is from Tom Schatz of The assistant legislative clerk pro- ing to do is prevent the waste of $15.5 Citizens Against Government Waste, ceeded to call the roll. million of taxpayer money involving which strongly supports this amend- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I ask unan- research—and it is wasteful research— ment. He says here, this vote will be imous consent that the order for the sending Russian primates into space. considered for inclusion in their 1996 quorum call be rescinded. I would also like the record to reflect congressional ratings. This is a group I The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that Senators FEINGOLD, HELMS, KERRY have come to deeply respect because objection, it is so ordered. of Massachusetts, D’AMATO, and BUMP- they have the knack for finding the Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I think the ERS have joined me in opposition to most egregious examples of waste in parliamentary situation in which we funding for this Bion Program. It is a the Federal bureaucracy. It is a very find ourselves is this particular provi- bipartisan group of Senators, as you good group. Most Senators here are sion dealing with the Bion Program in can tell, crossing the whole political aware of this group and the very good NASA was included in the House bill. spectrum. I believe Senator FEINGOLD job they do. The committee amendment struck the will be speaking on the issue, if not Mr. Schatz is very specific in his let- House prohibition on those activities. others. ter. I ask unanimous consent this let- So, procedurally, the people who Just so there is no confusion, the lan- ter be printed in the RECORD. want to maintain the amendment will, guage before the Senate passed the after discussion, move to table the House by an overwhelming vote of 244 There being no objection, the letter committee amendment, which is, I be- to 171. It appears on page 104 of the was ordered to be printed in the lieve, the pending business. Is that cor- Senate bill. It reads as follows: RECORD, as follows: rect? None of the funds made available in this DEAR SENATOR: On behalf of the 600,000 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- act for the National Aeronautics and Space members of the Council for Citizens Against ator is correct. Administration may be used to carry out or Government Waste (CCAW), I urge you to Mr. BOND. Therefore, we can begin pay the salaries of personnel who carry out support the efforts by Sens. Smith (R-N.H.) the discussion whenever the pro- the Bion 11 and 12 projects. and Feingold (D-Wis.) to eliminate funding September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9779 for two Bion missions in the FY 1997 Veter- they only need to ask Shannon Lucid how ing to hear how someone can tell me ans’ Affairs, Housing and Urban Develop- she feels when she returns from the Mir that it is. NASA has already conducted ment, and Independent Agencies Appropria- Space Station. (She has been up there sev- five similar missions using primates as tions bill (H.R. 3666). By eliminating this un- eral months.) Tax dollars should not be spent test subjects, as well as two shuttle necessary program, taxpayers could save as on duplicative and wasteful programs. missions dedicated to studying the ef- much as $15.5 million. That is the end of the information fects of gravity on humans. Shuttle These missions, known as Bion 11 and 12, from that letter. It is amazing that mission spacelab life sciences 1 and 2 are joint U.S./Russian/French flights sched- NASA would ask the taxpayers of the uled for September 1996 and July 1998. The focused on the effect of microgravity United States, or this committee, Russians will send Rhesus monkeys into on astronauts in 1991 and 1993. Five bringing this bill to the floor, would space for 14 days so that scientists can study United States-Russian ventures in the ask the taxpayers of the United States the effects of microgravity on the body. Ac- eighties and early nineties sent prima- to spend $15.5 million to put monkeys cording to the Congressional Research Serv- tes into space to research the same ice, Russia has been executing these mis- in flight for 14 days to find out what ef- sions since 1973, and NASA has participated fect space has on those monkeys in 14 subject. It is bad enough the Russians in the last eight, beginning in 1975. A variety days when we put human beings in are doing it. Why do we have to do it? of experiments on rodents, insects, and pri- space for 469 days. If there is anyone I know there are a lot of people in my mates have been performed for the U.S. in listening to me or anyone, a Member of State of New Hampshire who would the 17 years between 1975 and 1992, the date this body, who can tell me how that love to have that $15.5 million, a lot of of the last Bion mission. needy people, people who do not have Data from the seventy-five successful money is well spent, I would like to hear from them. Again, let me repeat, enough money for fuel in the winter— Space Shuttle flights or long-term stays by that is coming on us—or perhaps help- Russian cosmonauts, such as Valery putting monkeys in space for research Polyakov’s 439 day flight, could more accu- for 14 days to find out the effects on ing some small business get started rately and less expensively provide the infor- the body when we send human beings and create more jobs. mation scientists need to study these effects. in space for 469 days—can somebody This is not an anti-NASA amend- In fact, NASA has performed several of its help me? I am sending out the alert ment. This is a commonsense amend- own experiments on monkeys, including two here. ment, and the taxpayers group says shuttle missions. If NASA feels that it is Mr. President, this is one of the best they are going to rate this one, and necessary to do further study on the matter, examples that I have seen in my entire they should, they absolutely should. I they only need ask astronaut Shannon Lucid am glad they are doing it, because this how she feels when she returns from the Mir congressional career of a case of a pro- Space Station. Tax dollars should not be gram that began with good intentions is an outrageous waste of taxpayers’ spent on duplicative and wasteful programs. that has outlived itself, because you money. During consideration of H.R. 3666, the see, many, many years ago when we I know year after year, we do see House supported an amendment to eliminate started this, astronauts were not the anti-NASA amendments. We always funding by a solidly bipartisan vote of 244– first in space, primates were. We were have one from the Senator from Arkan- 171. The Senate must also reject this fund- obviously trying to find out the effects sas cutting the space station, and I op- ing. We urge you to support Sens. Smith and of the future human beings who were pose it every time because I support Feingold and kill this program at once. Any going to be in space. Well, that is past; the space station. I oppose that amend- vote on this program will be considered for ment because I support the space sta- inclusion in the CCAGW 1996 Congressional that is over. But, O my God, let’s not Ratings. cut a Government program. Whatever tion. I have always voted against these Sincerely, we do, let’s keep it going, let’s keep it amendments to cut NASA or to cut the THOMAS A. SCHATZ, funded, let’s not get rid of any bureau- space station. President. crats who might be doing research we As I mentioned, I was a member of Mr. SMITH. I will quote from the let- do not need to do. My goodness, we cer- the Science, Space and Technology ter just a couple of lines: tainly would not want to do that, but Committee in the House of Representa- tives for 6 years. I was a member of the On behalf of the 600,000 members of the that is exactly what the situation is Council for Citizens Against Government here, Mr. President. This is outrageous. Congressional Space Caucus and the Waste, I urge you to support the efforts by It is outrageous. There is no need for Republican task force on space explo- Sens. Smith and Feingold to eliminate fund- it, and, yet, we are doing it. ration. So I come at this not anti- ing for two Bion missions in the FY 1997 Vet- I also have a letter cosigned by Mr. NASA, and every person in the space erans’ Affairs, Housing and Urban Develop- Schatz and Ralph De Gennaro of Tax- agency who has worked there for any ment, and Independent Agencies Appropria- payers for Common Sense, another period of time knows this. They also tions bill (H.R. 3666). By eliminating this un- antiwaste group that has done excel- know that this project is a waste of necessary program, taxpayers could save as money. much as $15.5 million. lent work on this issue. Mr. President, I said it is estimated I coauthored NASA authorization He goes on to say what these mis- that this amendment would prevent bills. In fact, I wrote language provid- sions are. the waste of 15.5 million taxpayers’ dol- ing for the National Weather Service to These missions known as Bion 11 and 12 are lars by prohibiting funding of these conduct pH monitoring to provide the joint U.S./Russian/French flights scheduled two projects, Bion 11 and Bion 12, public with access to information for September 1996 and July 1998. The Rus- which involves sending primates into about the acidity of rainfall. I cospon- sians will send Rhesus monkeys into space for 14 days so that scientists can study the space. The Bion 11 mission is scheduled sored a resolution urging support for effects of microgravity on the body. Accord- for liftoff this month, with Bion 12 in the space station budget and have con- ing to the Congressional Research Service, 1998. sistently voted against efforts to cut Russia has been executing these missions Russian-owned rhesus monkeys the space station. I cosponsored legis- since 1973, and NASA has participated in the would be launched from Kazakhstan in lation to promote space commer- last eight, beginning in 1975. A variety of ex- Russian capsules loaded with Russian cialization. periments on rodents, insects, and primates technology for 2 weeks to study the ef- This is a pro-NASA amendment. That have been performed for the U.S. in the 17 fects of weightlessness. I say to my is what this is. This is a pro-NASA years between 1975 and 1992, the date of the friends, the Senator from Maryland amendment because it is going to pro- last Bion mission. and the Senator from Missouri, who I vide $15.5 million for something worth- In addition, Mr. Schatz goes on to know care about wasting taxpayers’ while. Taxpayers deserve to have their say: dollars, 14 days in space for rhesus money spent wisely. They work hard to Data from the seventy-five successful monkeys to determine the effects of pay taxes to the Federal Government, Space Shuttle flights or long-term space by weightlessness on the human body and they deserve to have that money Russian cosmonauts . . . could more accu- when we have human beings in space spent, not only wisely but reasonably. rately and less expensively provide the infor- mation scientists need to study these effects. for 469 days? Please, give me a break. (Mr. BROWN assumed the chair.) In fact, NASA has performed several of its Save $15.5 million. The House said so. Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, if you own experiments on monkeys, including two Let’s be reasonable. want to cast a NASA bashing vote, shuttle missions. If NASA feels it is nec- I realize that some are going to sug- then this amendment is not the amend- essary to do further study on the matter, gest this is still important. I am wait- ment for you, because that is not what S9780 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 this is. This amendment, this $15 mil- me read from a 1969 letter to Senator As one who is unabashedly a strong lion comes right out of important Peter Dominick, whose constituents at supporter for the NASA program, who NASA programs like the space station the time objected to NASA monkey ex- is looking forward to the development and the space shuttle. But if you are periments identical to Bion. NASA of a new and exciting technology in the like me and you are excited about the stated: space program, who is looking forward advances we are making in space explo- The purpose of the biostat light mission is to space exploration and the space sta- ration, you ought to vote to eliminate to determine the effects of prolonged expo- tion and all the positive spinoffs we this kind of waste and provide it in sure to the space environment, including will get, who is looking forward to the areas where the space program could weightlessness on the central nervous sys- jobs that are being created, I would use the money. Every nickel we spend tem, the cardiovascular system, metabolism hate to see this money wasted on con- and the behavior of a primate. on the Russian Bion program is money troversial and outdated research that that would have been spent on impor- That was 1969. Thirty years later, al- reflects poorly on the agency. And it tant United States space priorities. most, NASA still makes the same argu- does. It reflects poorly on the agency. Every nickel. ment for the program even though hu- Somebody in management some- For example, we could divert this mans have gone to the Moon and spent where did not have the courage to tell money to speed up the development of more than 400 days in space at one somebody they no longer had to attend Lockheed Martin’s Venture Star, the time. Shannon Lucid is there now, and those primate cages or whatever they new X–33 single-stage reusable reorbit has been there a lot longer than 14 do or get any more money. Somebody launch vehicle. The cost of this project days. did not have the courage to tell them will be about $1 billion through the According to a July 11, 1995, article or to move them to some other posi- year 2000. This is exciting, revolution- in the New York Times, more than 300 tion. So here we go. This is going to re- ary technology, and it represents pre- American and Russian astronauts have flect poorly on NASA. It reflects poorly cisely the kind of innovation that I am logged a total of 38 years in space since on NASA. talking about and precisely the kind of Yuri Gagarin in 1961 became the first The Senate has an obligation to stop innovation that the American people person to ride a rocket into orbit. it just like the House did, Mr. Presi- Think of that. More than 300 American expect out of their space program, dent. I would like to share with my col- and Russian astronauts have logged a which will create millions of jobs in leagues an article from the Washington total of 38 years in space since Gagarin the 21st century. Post on August 30, 1996, entitled, ‘‘Re- in 1961 became the first person. Yet we Furthermore, in the Venture Star ducing Force a Bad Idea, Space Center still have to send primates into space Project, we will have a public-private Director Says.’’ Mr. President, I ask for 14 days to determine the effects of partnership that helps ease the finan- unanimous consent that article be weightlessness on the central nervous cial burden on the taxpayer. I am told printed in the RECORD. system? And 38 years of time in space There being no objection, the article that the estimated cost of sending pay- by humans. But the project continues. loads into space on the Venture Star Why should we waste $15 million on a was ordered to be printed in the will be approximately $1,000 per pound, Russian project that is dedicated to an RECORD, as follows: compared with a $10,000 per pound cost area of research that American sci- [From the Washington Post, Aug. 30, 1996] on the space shuttle. A tremendous entists have already examined on seven REDUCING FORCE A BAD IDEA, SPACE CENTER savings. previous missions? I do not know. Who DIRECTOR SAYS—MULTIPLE PROBLEMS PRE- DICTED FOR KENNEDY FACILITY This $15 million could be used to ac- knows? Nobody wants to pull the plug (By Seth Borenstein) celerate the development of technology on the program. We do not want to of- that will truly benefit our knowledge fend the Russians? I do not know. We CAPE CANAVERAL.—Plans for a smaller work force at Kennedy Space Center will of space and enhance the competitive- do not want to offend the French? I do ness of the U.S. industry. lead to hundreds of layoffs in two years and not know, and I do not care. My re- leave the center unable to do everything Mr. President, we all know how a sponsibility is not to the French, it is program takes a life of its own. There NASA expects of it, the center’s director said not to the Russians. It is to the tax- in a letter to his bosses. has never been an example, as I said be- payers. It just does not make sense. A dozen different types of work at Ken- fore, in all of my years in Congress What are we going to learn? nedy—including some safety inspections— that is a more egregious example of Please, somebody, tell me what we can’t be done if the center’s civil service this exact fact: a program that went are going to learn 15 million dollars’ work force is cut to 1,445 as planned in Octo- beyond what it was supposed to do and worth of new information on these two ber 1998, Director Jay Honeycutt said in an yet it continues because no one wants Aug. 7 letter. There are more than 2,100 fed- 14-day flights. The bill before us cuts eral workers at the space center. to pull the plug, because somebody is NASA’s budget for 1997 by almost $200 A total of 547 people would have to be laid getting some research dollars to do million below last year’s funding level. off as of Oct. 1, 1998, if the employment tar- this, somebody is tending the cages of When I say ‘‘cut,’’ I do not mean it in get doesn’t change, Honeycutt wrote. In the the animals, somebody is making the President Clinton’s terms where we in- past, Honeycutt had said layoffs might be money, getting a salary somewhere, so crease a program by billions of dollars avoided. God forbid we should cut off a program. and call it a cut. That is the Presi- ‘‘The reduction predicted in . . . [the 1999 fiscal year] effectively removes all but direct I know that the current occupant of dent’s language. We have been through the chair, the Senator from Colorado, mission operations support as of Oct. 1, that with Medicare and Medicaid where 1998,’’ Honeycutt wrote. ‘‘I do not feel this is has joined me on many occasions in we increase a program by 25 to 42 per- a prudent approach for the center . . . or the cutting spending. I say to the distin- cent and it is called a cut. agency.’’ guished Senator that this is an exam- This is a real cut, Mr. President. In In his letter, Honeycutt noted that the ple of the kinds of things that he has simple math in 1996 we spent $13.9 bil- cuts would come just as the space center be- fought for for so many years in the lion on the NASA budget. This year we gins overseeing massive upgrades to the House and in the Senate. Again, a pro- spent $13.7 billion. So we are going space shuttle and getting pieces of NASA’s gram to find out the effects of space station ready for launch. down. And yet we still waste this kind Honeycutt said the 1,445-employee figure weightlessness on human beings by of money. I am not arguing the need to that NASA wants to impose on the center putting primates in space for 14 days. cut the budget in light of our $5 trillion was based on it becoming a government- We now have humans in space for over debt. But if there is anything I hear owned, contractor-run facility—an approach 400 days, and we still have the pro- consistently from my constituents that has been heavily changed by NASA offi- gram. I repeat that because I know the back home is they want us to start cials since it was announced in May 1995. distinguished occupant of the chair with waste, start with waste. Cut out NASA plans to shrink the center’s govern- came in after my comments. I want to the waste, the fraud, the mismanage- ment work force even further by October 1999, though be less than originally planned. be sure he heard them because I need ment and then we can look at other The agency had set a target of 1,135 workers his vote on this issue. programs that we may have to cut to for Oct. 1, 1999, but in late July NASA’s dep- The Bion Program is this kind of pro- get the job done but, for goodness uty administrator wrote the General Ac- gram. It has outlived itself. Let me sakes, start with the most outrageous, counting Office to say the revised target give you a historical perspective. Let egregious waste of taxpayer dollars. would probably be 1,360. September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9781 Honeycutt sent his letter to top space that had fallen into a gorilla cage, in. Who is the lobbyist for this? Who is flight officials at NASA headquarters and picked it up in its arms and gently car- pushing this? Why is it still in here? Johnson Space Center. ried it to the door of the zookeeper so Why are we fighting this battle on the The letter was part of a private, ongoing dialogue between the space center and Wash- that they could open the door and Senate floor? Who is this? Where is this ington about staffing levels, but it became carry that child out to safety, it saved coming from? public Monday on an Internet computer site the child’s life from other gorillas that NASA does not want it, apparently. devoted to upcoming layoffs at the space may have hurt it when the child had Where is the lobby for this? I think it agency, spokesman Hugh Harris said. fallen into the cage. These are animals. is a strong affirmation of my point Harris confirmed the letter on the non- They have feelings. Why would you that this research is unimportant and NASA World Wide Web site had been written want to inflict this kind of pain for unnecessary. They do not want it. As by Honeycutt. He wrote that cutting the nothing? It is the same family. They this memo clearly states, our two top civil service work force to 1,445 would, among other things: are primates, gorillas and chimps or space officials did not think it was a Leave NASA unable to monitor the safety monkeys. Why would you want to in- priority in February, yet here we are in and quality of contractors’ work. flict that pain for no reason—no rea- September, by golly, we will put it Make it impossible for the government to son? To find out what weightlessness is right in there. Let us spend that conduct safety inspections of certain facili- like in space on these animals for 14 money. I do not know who called whom ties. days? but somebody did, I guess. Force the center to discontinue independ- In fact, they concluded without hesi- ent safety studies called for by the federal Let me go a little further on to why commission that investigated the 1986 Chal- this research is so wasteful. I am going tation, these two officials, that there is lenger explosion. to cite a number of quotes from NASA no longer any need whatsoever for such Bring a halt to shuttle upgrade work be- experts, NASA documents, scientists, research, and the House of Representa- yond 1998. scholars, and medical experts that tives agreed with them overwhelmingly Prevent the space center from making prove this point. in June. I give a lot of credit to my technological improvements that would cut Let me start with a memo from Feb- friends in the House for acting reason- shuttle launch costs and save NASA money ruary 9 of this year. It was written by ably. in the long run. Since February is there any new If the current work force target for Octo- Jack Gibbons who serves as both the ber 1998 isn’t changed, ‘‘KSC’s core engineer- Assistant to the President for Science startling information out there some- ing skills, [and] technical expertise . . . are and Technology and the Director of the where that provides some new develop- seriously eroded,’’ Honeycutt wrote. Office of Science and Technology Pol- ment, some new revelation that now Outsiders said Honeycutt’s letter was a se- icy. And it is written to Dan Goldin, putting primates in space for 14 days is rious action for a center director to take. somehow going to prove, help us to un- ‘‘After awhile you stop being overly po- the Administrator of NASA. I ask unanimous consent that this be derstand weightlessness and the effects lite,’’ said Seymour Himmel, a member of on the nervous system for humans who the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel who printed in the RECORD, Mr. President. has studied morale and safety issues at the There being no objection, the memo have been in space for 469 days? space center. ‘‘It’s trying to be realistic was ordered to be printed in the I want to hear this tremendous rev- about what they’re being asked to do with RECORD, as follows: elation of information. I want to hear less, and what the consequences are. about it. It must be exciting, because it THE WHITE HOUSE, ‘‘You are put in a position where you don’t Washington, February 9, 1996. persuaded somebody to change their know what the hell to do,’’ Himmel said of Memorandum for Dan Goldin. mind between June and now. Where is Honeycutt’s situation. ‘‘If you really have From Jack Gibbons. this information? Where are the docu- the programs of the agency at heart, you’ve Re Primates in Research. ments? People say, ‘‘Why do you go out got to stand up and be counted.’’ I am following up on our conversation A spokesman for Rep. David Joseph and get so excited over $15.5 million, about the situation at NASA with respect to Weldon (R–Fla.), who is vice chairman of the over a couple of rhesus monkeys?’’ If the use of primates in research. I sympathize House space subcommittee, said Honeycutt enough people got excited over $15.5 with your concern that the era of need for was justifiably upset. ‘‘This is the doomiest million every time we wasted that kind primates in NASA’s research is now behind and gloomiest letter you will see,’’ said the us, and that it may be time to retire those of money, we would save money around spokesman, J.B. Kump, ‘‘Hopefully, this will animals. I would be pleased to talk with you here and get the budget balanced a lot open some eyes at headquarters.’’ quicker and we would spend money a Ed Campion, a spokesman at NASA head- about the situation and to discuss alternate quarters, said the agency takes comments options to consider. lot wiser. We have an obligation to such as those in Honeycutt’s letter very seri- I should point out that the Air Force is take care of the little things, and the ously. ‘‘These are the kind of frank discus- also interested in options concerning their big things will take care of themselves. sions that we have to have when we’re in primates, and that the National Institute of Proponents might talk about a re- tight budget times and trying to make hard Medicine is planning to do a related study cent commission that considered ani- decisions,’’ he said. under NIH sponsorship. mal welfare. The commission was Please let me know if you want to follow Mr. SMITH. The article is about a up. I look forward to hearing from you. thrown together with the expectation proposal where 547 people would have that Congress might consider cutting Mr. SMITH. This is on White House to be laid off as of October 1, 1998. For the Bion Program. It is very interest- stationery, written on February 9, 1996, the $15.5 million we are spending on ing that we see a situation like this. It from Jack Gibbons. And it is to the Di- Bion we could afford to pay each of makes me wonder. I have been in Con- rector of NASA. Let me quote it. It is these people $28,000. I am not saying gress now 12 years. It really makes me very brief. necessarily that I advocate that, but I wonder who is making the decisions in just want to point out how much I am following up on our conversation this Government? Who is really mak- about the situation at NASA with respect to ing the decisions? You have a situation money $15 million is. Every one of the use of primates in research. I sympathize those people are going to lose their job. with your concern that the era of need for where the top two officials in NASA, They could be paid $28,000 a year just primates in NASA’s research is now behind who deal with the project, do not want from this project. It is obvious they do us, and that it may be time to retire those it. I don’t know of any proponent in the not all make under $28,000, but the animals. I would be pleased to talk with you White House that wants it. The House point is, we are laying off American about the situation and to discuss alternate took it out. Yet, here we are on the workers at the Kennedy Space Center options to consider. Senate floor battling over it, wasting a while we send $15.5 million to Russia to How could you possibly be any clear- couple of hours of time, perhaps, argu- conduct redundant and wasteful re- er than that? This is from Mr. Gibbons, ing about this $15.5 million spent on search, not to mention the pain that who is involved with these programs at this primate research. Why? It really is you inflict on animals for no purpose, NASA, to the Director saying it is time amazing. Is somebody who works below no purpose whatsoever—no purpose. to wrap it up, we do not need the these people going around them and I am not an advocate of totally elimi- money for this project. Yet, here it is, somehow getting information here to nating all research, but I think if you stricken by the House, to their credit this Senate? Yes, probably. I think the all remember the recent story about overwhelmingly, by a bipartisan vote. Senator from Colorado, who occupies the gorilla who picked up a small child But here we go again. Let us leave it the chair and who has had so many S9782 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 amendments on this Senate floor and capsule; they are doing all kinds of that maybe, on the face of it, this is a in the House regarding this kind of pretty nasty things to these animals wasteful activity. But they are plain funding, knows that. That is exactly while they are in there. wrong when you compare the science. what happens. Frankly, whoever is Mr. President, I do have some more Astronauts’ bodies undergo major doing this ought to be fired. They comments to make, but I have used up changes during long durations of space ought to be fired, and we would save a a good portion of the hour. I think at flight, changes which are debilitating little more money. this point I am going to yield the floor on return to Earth. There have been a number of these and reserve the remainder of the time Some people can survive over a year sham committees already that were set for other Senators who may wish to in space. But we still do not know how up to study something long before this speak. to prevent the changes, or even if these memo was written. So the latest round Mr. BOND addressed the Chair. changes are reversible. has taught us nothing. There is a quote The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Let us see what science has said from Dr. Larry Young, a professor of ator from Missouri is recognized. about it. Bion 11 and Bion 12 are out- astronautics at the Massachusetts In- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank the standing values for the American tax- stitute of Technology, MIT: Chair, and I thank my friend from New payer. We are about at the limit of what we can Hampshire for giving me an oppor- Who is lobbying for this? Mr. Presi- do on shuttle missions in terms of under- tunity to answer some of the very per- dent, I have a letter here of July 31, standing the long play of weightlessness as it tinent questions he has raised. The ef- 1996 signed by Cornelius Pings, presi- affects humans and animals. fect of this amendment would be to dent, Association of American Univer- I would certainly think so. Fourteen prohibit NASA from spending $6.8 mil- sities, C. Peter Magrath, president, Na- days for primates and 400-plus days for lion in fiscal year 1997 on an important, tional Association of State Univer- humans, and we are still putting pri- efficient, peer-reviewed, biomedical re- sities and Land-Grant Colleges, and mates in space to study weightlessness search program using rhesus monkeys Jordan J. Cohen, president, Associa- on the human nervous system. flown on Russia’s space vehicle. It tion of American Medical Colleges. This quote is from the final reports doesn’t change the total budget. It There you have it. That is a pretty of the U.S. experiments flown of the forces NASA to withdraw from a signed tough lobbying group, the Association Soviet biosatellite Cosmos 2044 Bion 9: contract with Russia, override sci- of American Universities, the National The small number of animals studied after entific peer review, and undermine the Association of State Universities and space flight preclude drawing any major con- Animal Welfare Act, while at the same Land-Grant Colleges, and the Associa- clusions for the present. time handing animal rights extremists tion of American Medical Colleges. Now, I don’t know if I can stand here a victory. What do they say? and say, well, there is no circumstance Now, there is no one in this body who The Bion missions are designed to study at all, no chance that we might learn has any greater aversion to Govern- the biological effects of low gravity and the anything at all from these launches. I ment waste and unnecessary spending space radiation environment on the struc- than I do. I think my record as a Gov- ture and function of individual physiological am sure we can probably figure some- systems and the body as a whole. Bion 11 and thing out. Who knows? Maybe mon- ernor and in the Senate is one of oppos- 12 will focus specifically on the musculo- keys’ ears grow more in space. We can ing Government waste. I have chal- skeletal system. While the loss of muscle and probably come up with something if we lenged duplication of effort. I have bone mass during space flight is well docu- worked at it. But that is not the point. pointed out time and time again where mented, neither the rate nor the specific The point is that it is not cost effec- the Federal Government wastes money mechanisms involved are well understood. tive, it is not humane, it is not an duplicating efforts and where States Research on human subjects in this area is American priority, and it is not and local governments have duplicat- difficult because human crew members regu- ing authorities. I have fought many larly practice countermeasures designed to NASA’s priority. That is the point. It nullify some of the adaptive responses to is not NASA’s priority, not humane, battles to cut out unnecessary activi- microgravity. While these actions may en- not cost effective, and not cost effi- ties. I have fought these battles where hance crew performance and comfort, they cient. Yet, we are going to spend the I know, from my experience as an ex- also alter or mask the physiological symp- money anyway. executive and as an administrator and toms being studied. Since tissue loss in the Unless I can get 50 people plus myself as a legislator, where we can cut out musculoskeletal system may be one of the to disagree with the committee, we waste. critical factors limiting human space explo- will spend it and put these animals But there is also another area where ration, it is essential that we understand through suffering for nothing. It is bad I think we have made a lot of mistakes how and why these changes occur and how we might prevent them. enough we have to do it for something, in this body, and that is in the area of Their conclusion is: but here we are going to do it for noth- science. I had a few courses in science, ing and spend the money. Unless I can just enough to know that I am not a We strongly support the use of merit re- scientist. So when it comes to sci- view to determine how limited Federal funds get 50 people to agree with me, that is may most productively be spent for sci- exactly what will happen. I wonder how entific matters, I think we ought to entific research. The Smith amendment many Americans even realize that we rely on the scientific community and would override scientific peer review . .. are still sending primates into space. get the best judgments from the sci- Let me repeat that. Frankly, until this amendment came entists. If I were going to give a seat- The Smith amendment would override sci- to my attention, I didn’t know it. of-the-pants science response, I might entific peer review and force NASA to with- Our two highest science officials, in say something very simple like, ‘‘We draw from a signed contract with inter- the memo I just read, agree that the ought to be testing monkeys rather national partners. We urge you to oppose the area of need for primates in NASA’s re- than human beings.’’ That is a nonsci- amendment. search is now behind us. We have had entific response. But good science is at Mr. President, that is who is lobby- humans in space for over 400 days. We issue here. Are we going to substitute ing for this provision. have learned that most of the problems the scientific judgment of this body for I ask unanimous consent that this associated with weightlessness occur the peer-reviewed science of the ex- letter be printed in the RECORD. after about 2 weeks in space, and the perts who have been brought together There being no objection, the mate- Bion flights are only 2 weeks long. to say that we need this research? rial was ordered to be printed in the Only in Washington, DC, really, only in There are perhaps one or two Members RECORD, as follows: Washington, only in the U.S. Govern- of this body who are really qualified to ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVER- ment would you have a project as ridic- make scientific judgments, who have SITIES, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ulous as this. I’ll repeat that. We have some background in this area. I would STATE UNIVERSITIES AND LAND- learned that most of the problems asso- be interested to hear from them. But GRANT COLLEGES; ASSOCIATION OF ciated with weightlessness occur after for the most part, we are going to have AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES, July 31, 1996. 2 weeks in space. Yet, we put primates to rely on what the scientists have told DEAR SENATOR: When the Senate turns to up for 2 weeks and then bring them us. There are some in the opposing- consideration of HR 3666, the VA–HUD-Inde- down. They are not just sitting in the Government-waste category who think pendent Agencies Appropriations bills, we September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9783 understand that Senator Robert Smith plans tute of Technology, Florida A&M, tion of any amendment to restrict NASA’s to offer an amendment prohibiting NASA DePaul University, California Institute participation in Bion. funding of the Bion 11 and 12 projects. We of Technology, Harvard University, and Again, thank you for allowing NASA to urge you to oppose this amendment. pursue its open process of review for select- We are concerned about the precedent this a number of private sector organiza- ing the highest quality science by peer re- amendment sets in terminating research tions are involved. This NASA advisory view in conformance with U.S. animal wel- that has been reviewed and approved on the council unanimously approved the rec- fare laws and the highest ethical principles. basis of scientific merit. The Bion missions ommendation of the Bion task force Sincerely, have been peer-reviewed and approved by chaired by Ronald C. Merrell, DANIEL S. GOLDIN, five independent panels over the past eight Lampman professor and chairman, De- Administrator. years. The most recent panel, which submit- partment of Surgery of Yale Univer- NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL, NATIONAL ted its unanimous recommendations to sity. NASA Administrator Dan Goldin only last AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINIS- week, found that the quality of science pro- That letter of July 2 to the advisory TRATION, posed is very high, that there are no known council says: Washington, DC, July 25, 1996. alternative means to achieve the objectives, We unanimously recommend that the Mr. DANIEL S. GOLDIN, and that the animal care and welfare propos- Agency proceed with the Bion Project. In re- Administrator, NASA Headquarters, Washing- als meet all requirements and U.S. legal sponse to the three questions you asked us to ton, DC. standards. address in reaching our recommendation we DEAR MR. GOLDIN: As you requested, a task The Bion missions are designed to study find the following: force of the NASA Advisory Council was the biological effects of low gravity and the 1. The quality of the science proposed in formed to provide you with advice and rec- space radiation environment on the struc- the integrated protocol is excellent. It has ommendations on NASA participation in the ture and function of individual physiological been reviewed by peers in a very thorough U.S.-French-Russian Bion Program. The systems and the body as a whole. Bion 11 and and repeated manner and has withstood task force, led by Dr. Ronald Merrell, met on 12 will focus specifically on the musculo- analysis for nearly a decade. The science has July 1. The membership was technically skeletal system. While the loss of muscle and been thoughtfully integrated to accommo- competent with broad expertise appropriate bone mass during space flight is well docu- date an enormous matrix of material which for addressing the task force’s charter. mented, neither the rate nor the specific is highly likely to yield meaningful results. At our meeting on July 24, Dr. Merrell mechanisms involved are well understood. 2. There are no known alternative means briefed us on the task force’s activities and Research on human subjects in this area is to achieve the objectives of the proposal. The deliberations. We unanimously approved its difficult because human crew members regu- data do not exist at present and there are no three findings and its recommendation to larly practice countermeasures designed to alternative species to test the hypotheses. proceed with the Bion project. We also sup- nullify some of the adaptive responses to Specifically, the use of Rhesus monkeys port its strong advocacy for continued ef- microgravity. While these actions may en- seems inevitable to achieve the objectives. forts to strengthen the bioethics review pol- hance crew performance and comfort, they 3. The animal care and welfare proposals icy and process for animal experimentation also alter or mask the physiological symp- meet all requirements and US legal stand- to be implemented before Bion 12. These toms being studied. Since tissue loss in the ards. findings and recommendations are contained musculoskeletal system may be one of the in the enclosed letter from Dr. Merrell. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- The public was present and participated in critical factors limiting human space explo- sent that the letter from Daniel C. ration, it is essential that we understand both meetings. Members of the Bion Task how and why these changes occur and how Goldin and the attachments from the Force are to be commended for the serious- we might prevent them. advisory council and the Bion task ness, care, and depth with which they carried We strongly support the use of merit re- force be printed in the RECORD. out this sensitive task. If we can be of any view to determine how limited federal funds There being no objection, the mate- further assistance, please do not hesitate to may most productively be spent for sci- rial was ordered to be printed in the ask. BRADFORD W. PARKINSON, entific research. The Smith amendment RECORD, as follows: would override scientific peer-review and Chair. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE force NASA to withdraw from a signed con- ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF THE tract with international partners. We urge YALE UNIVERSITY, ADMINISTRATOR, you to oppose the amendment. New Haven, CT, July 2, 1996. Washington, DC, July 26, 1996. Sincerely, Re Bion task force. Hon. CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, CORNELIUS J. PINGS, BRADFORD W. PARKINSON, MD, Chairman, Subcommittee on VA-HUD-Inde- President, Association Chairman, NASA Advisory Council, NASA pendent Agencies, Committee on Appropria- of American Univer- Headquarters, Code Z, 300 E Street SW, tions, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. sities. Washington, DC. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I wish to thank the C. PETER MAGRATH, DEAR DR. PARKINSON: The Bion Task Committee for rejecting the limitation in- President, National Force, summoned by the NAC to consider the cluded in the House-passed version of H.R. Association of State matter of Bion 11 and 12, met at NASA Head- 3666, the FY 1997 VA-HUD-Independent Agen- Universities and quarters on July 1, 1996. We responded to the cies appropriations bill, which would have Land-Grant Col- attached charge and all members were in at- precluded NASA’s use of any appropriations leges. tendance except for Dr. Borer. Assignments in the bill for the conduct of the Bion 11 and JORDAN J. COHEN, and logistics had been discussed on a tele- 12 missions. The Bion Program is a coopera- President, Association phone conference call May 15. At our meet- tive space venture among the U.S., Russian of American Medical ing we were ably supported by Dr. Frank and French space agencies for the conduct of Colleges. Sulzman and aided by an extensive panel of international biomedical research using Rus- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, the Admin- NASA scientists as well as project partici- sian-provided infrastructure, spacecraft, pants from France and Russia. The public istrator took notice of the concerns of payload and primates. The House limitation was present and participated in the presen- those who objected to the Bion effort. effectively threatened the principle of rigor- tations. The agenda for our meeting and the He convened a high-level independent ous peer review in biomedical research, and assignments are attached. Minutes of our ac- review program which completed its the Committee wisely chose to delete this tivities will be ready shortly. However, I work on the Bion Task Force on July 1 limitation. though it appropriate to report immediately As I indicated to you in my letter of July our recommendation. with the unanimous recommendation 5, a high-level independent review of the pro- to the NASA Advisory Council that We unanimously recommend that the gram was completed by the Bion Task Force Agency proceed with the Bion Project. In re- NASA proceed with Bion 11 and 12 mis- on July 1, with a unanimous recommenda- sponse to the three questions you asked us to sions. tion to the NASA Advisory Council that address in reaching our recommendation we He states in his letter of July 26: NASA proceed with the Bion 11 and 12 mis- find the following: . . . the NASA Advisory Council unani- sions. Yesterday, the NASA Advisory Coun- 1. The quality of the science proposed in mously approved the findings and rec- cil unanimously approved the findings and the integrated protocol is excellent. It has ommendations of the Task Force and for- recommendation of the Task Force and for- been reviewed by peers is a very thorough warded them to me. warded them to me. I have accepted the rec- and repeated manner and has withstood That is a letter of Daniel Goldin of ommendation of the Council and the Task analysis for nearly a decade. The science has Force (enclosures 1 and 2) that the Agency July 26 of the NASA Advisory Council been thoughtfully integrated to accommo- proceed with the Bion missions. I seek the date an enormous matrix of material which which is composed, among others, of Committee’s continued support for NASA’s is highly likely to yield meaningful results. professors at Stanford University, Cor- participation in the Bion 11 and 12 missions 2. There are no known alternative means nell University, Massachusetts Insti- as the Senate considers H.R. 3666, and rejec- to achieve the objectives of the proposal. The S9784 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 data do not exist and there are no alter- That is why I hope, Mr. President, gram. At present, $15.5 million remains native species to test the hypotheses. Spe- that an overwhelming bipartisan ma- in the Bion account for the next two cifically, the use of Rhesus monkeys seems jority of this body will join me in re- flights. inevitable to achieve the objectives. 3. The animal care and welfare proposals jecting the motion to table. So when the Senator from Missouri meet all requirements and US legal stand- I yield the floor. correctly points out that a little over ards. Mr. FEINGOLD addressed the Chair. $6 million will be involved in terms of However, we were sensitive to the concerns The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- this fiscal year, there is still more to raised by the public and within our commit- ator from Wisconsin is recognized. come—and still more in my view and in tee about divisive opinions over animal re- Mr. FEINGOLD. Thank you, Mr. the view of the Senator from New search. We were reminded that NASA has President. Hampshire to be wasted if we do not been a leader in bioethics and a driver for Mr. President, I would like to con- take the steps that we recommend raising the standards of biomedical research. tinue this debate by first thanking the Therefore, we strongly urge NASA to devise today. Senator from New Hampshire. I am Bion 11 and Bion 12 are the last of and implement a bioethics review policy for very pleased to be working jointly with animal experimentation to include participa- these flight missions, scheduled to fly tion of a professional bioethicist. This group him and several other Senators on this in October 1996 and July 1998 respec- should begin its activities before Bion 12 is matter. I believe that is important to tively with United States, French, and activated. We believe it is not morally justi- pursue matters legislatively when Russian participation. Two Russian- fied to proceed otherwise. We challenge there is unusual agreement on both owned rhesus monkeys will fly on each NASA to raise existing standards by this new sides of the aisle. And in this case of the missions, scheduled to last 14 policy and thereby continue leadership in there is that agreement between many days, to study the effects of micro- the realm of bioethics. of us on both sides of the aisle that this I thank you for the honor to chair this gravity on bone loss, muscle deteriora- program needs to be reevaluated. I group and on their behalf I thank you for the tion, and balance. opportunity to serve. want to add a little bit to what the I oppose the committee amendment Senator from New Hampshire has said. Sincerely, to strike the Roemer-Ganske language My colleague from New Hampshire RONALD C. MERRELL, MD, because I believe that these funds could Lampman Professor and Chairman, and I are moving to table the commit- be allocated for higher priority science Department of Surgery. tee amendment which would strike lan- guage that passed the House as an at NASA or preferably for deficit re- BION TASK FORCE CHARTER amendment to the VA–HUD appropria- duction. I am also concerned that the The charter of the BTF is to provide advice tions bill on June 26, 1996 by a vote of scientific justification for the program and recommendations to the NASA Adminis- 244 to 171. The amendment was spon- is questionable and the results redun- trator on whether NASA should continue to dant, given that NASA has both pre- sored by Representatives ROEMER and participate in the joint U.S.-French-Russian vious Bion experiment data and signifi- GANSKE. The Senate Appropriations Bion Program. Specific activities will in- cant human data on the effects of space clude the following: Committee, in preparing the VA-HUD (1) Review the integrity of the science plan bill for the floor, has recommended flight. Since the Apollo missions hu- for the mission; that this language be struck from the mans have stayed in space for months (2) Assure that there are no alternative at a time, and on July 16, 1996, Shan- means for obtaining the information pro- bill. The language would explicitly pro- hibit the National Aeronautics and non Lucid set the U.S. record for the vided by these experiments; and longest space flight aboard the space (3) Review the Bion Program for ethical Space Administration [NASA] from ex- and humane animal treatment during all pending any funds on the Bion 11 and station Mir at 115 days, and as of last phases of the mission. Bion 12 missions. I believe that the Friday has now spent 5 months orbit- Membership is comprised of distinguished committee’s amendment to strike this ing the Earth. There is substantial in- individuals with expertise in medicine, bio- formation and data with regard to the medical research, ethics and the humane language should not prevail. That is why the Senator from New humans involved, which is obviously care and treatment of animals. our ultimate concern. In addition, Mr. The BTF will report to the NASA Advisory Hampshire, I, and others will move to Council (NAC), and will be staffed by the Of- table. As I said, Mr. President, this President, the last Columbia shuttle fice of Life and Microgravity Sciences and move to save this money passed on a mission, which lasted 17 days, included Applications. bipartisan basis in the House and in an experiment similar to those pro- The BTF is expected to submit its report this body. It has the support of not posed for Bion and in that case was with recommendations to the NAC in July only the Senator from New Hampshire done on actual human astronauts. 1996. and myself but also the Senator from The termination of expenditures on Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I do not Massachusetts [Mr. KERRY], the Sen- the Bion Program is supported by a co- think we need to say more about this. ator from North Carolina [Mr. HELMS], alition of taxpayer and animal welfare It is very clear that the scientific com- the Senator from Arkansas [Mr. BUMP- groups, not simply animal welfare munity says we need it. We can find ERS], and the Senator from New York groups. It includes Citizens Against out things on monkeys operating under [Mr. D’AMATO]. Government Waste and Taxpayers for the legal and ethical standards that we As the Senator from New Hampshire Common Cause, who have found a com- cannot find out when we send humans indicated, it would be pretty hard to mon ground on this issue and believe into space, and we are far better test- come up with a more diverse group of that the money can be saved from ing on monkeys under the ethical Senators from a political point of view these missions. standards that are imposed what the than that combination. Mr. President, the Bion Program, to impacts of weightlessness is. So what is this all about? quote, according to the February 1996 I cannot understand all of the sci- Under this program, NASA transfers Bion 11/12 Science Assessment, is ‘‘very entific jargon in the letters. But I can money to Russia to launch the Bion 11 important for future long-term manned read the headlines. And the headlines and Bion 12 capsules, and also funds space flights and life on a space sta- from these letters are from the sci- United States researchers to be in- tion.’’ entific community supported by the volved in designing the experiments Let me emphasize this statement. It Association of American Universities, and interpreting the results. The Bion says the Bion Program, and arguably the Land-Grant Colleges, and the Asso- Program gets its name from the small NASA’s entire life sciences program, ciation of American Medical Colleges crewless Russian Bion satellite it uses exists to support the continuation of which say that we need this informa- to launch biological experiments into the pursuit of long-term manned space tion. Are we to substitute our sci- near-Earth orbits to study the physio- flight and the development of the space entific judgment for theirs? I happen to logical effects of space flight. Since station. think personally that would be the 1973, Russia has launched 10 Bion sat- That is really the context in which height of arrogance to say that we ellites. The last was done with NASA we should be evaluating Bion and know more about science than the pro- participation for space flights of be- NASA’s continued participation in it. fessionals, the great leading scientific tween 5 and 22 days. It is not simply a crusade of animal minds and institutions of higher edu- In fiscal year 1993, $35.1 billion was rights activists, as proponents would cation around the country. appropriated to support this whole pro- have you believe and as the Senator September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9785 from Missouri at least suggested in his methods and the experiment design confirm that what we know about the remarks. There is much more involved will produce legitimate and scientif- body, that what we know about the ef- for those of us who are concerned about ically valid results. fect of space flight on the body is in- waste in Government, and I think that Let me say a bit about them. Four of deed what we already know. We al- includes everyone in this body. the rookie astronauts from the July 7, ready know it. And this apparently is Of course, there may be issues per- 1996, shuttle Columbia mission, which just an attempt to spend some of our taining to humane treatment and the had a total crew of seven, participated tax dollars to confirm it. future of the Bion protocol, but for the both prior, during, and after the flight I am concerned about this, given the Members of this body who do not sup- as, in effect, human guinea pigs in the amount that has already been spent to port the space station for fiscal rea- study on the effect of human space collect the astronaut data. The Rocky sons—and there are a number of Sen- travel on the body. Mountain News reported on June 21, ators, including myself—Bion is really Within an hour of touchdown, as re- 1996, that the Columbia shuttle astro- an outgrowth of space station develop- ported on July 8, 1996, by the Chicago naut study on the effect of space travel ment and for that reason, as well, Tribune, ‘‘The four astronauts who had on the human body cost $138 million. ought to be terminated for fiscal rea- endured medical poking and prodding And this expenditure on the rhesus sons. in orbit were in a clinic at Kennedy monkeys procedures will simply add to For those who support manned space Space Center undergoing painful mus- that figure, I think that is unneces- flight, I believe that the research cle biopsies and other tests. NASA sarily, and would be redundant. which will be conducted on Bion 11 and wanted to examine the men before Let me return to the second issue. 12, despite the Bion Program having their bodies had adjusted to gravity.’’ The second issue I want to address is cleared a fourth reevaluation of the ex- The Houston Chronicle also provided the issue of humane treatment, be- periments, is arguably duplicative. So additional detail on the mission on cause Senators will likely hear that it may well be something that standing July 8, 1996. NASA ‘‘billed the mission the Bion experiment animal treatment alone can be argued to have merit, but as a preview of its operations aboard protocol has been reviewed several if it is already adequately being done, the U.S.-led international space sta- times—most recently in early July it is still duplicative and it is still tion.’’ 1996. Following landing, the Chronicle con- wasteful. In April 1996 NASA Administrator tinues, ‘‘The crew were ushered into I say this despite the fact that indi- Dan Goldin set up an independent medical facilities at Kennedy for eval- viduals from two very well-respected panel, chaired by the head of surgery uation of their muscle, skeletal and research institutions in my State of at Yale, Dr. Ronald Merrell, to review respiratory and balance systems. The Wisconsin, Marquette University and the care and treatment of the Bion test included biopsies of their calf mus- the Medical College of Wisconsin, have monkeys, the fourth such review. But, cles with large gauge needles and full participated in the Bion Program and as the Bion launch is scheduled for Oc- body scans with a magnetic resonance tober 1996, and the panel could not one of the individuals actually will be imaging device.’’ directly involved in interpreting data So the contention of the supporters meet until July 1, the surgical proce- from Bion 11. of Bion has been that the Bion tests dures to implant monitoring wires and I ask those in this body who support are too invasive to be done on humans the steel cranial caps on the monkeys manned space flight to ask themselves and thus should be done on rhesus mon- went ahead in Kazakhstan in June at this question: Despite the scientific keys. As Charles Brady, a physician the Institute for Biomedical Problems merit of the study design, will the ter- and one of the rookie astronauts, stat- in Moscow. NASA was then in the awk- mination of the Bion 11 and 12 flights ed about the test as reported in the Or- ward position of agreeing to allow the keep the United States from sending lando Sentinal on July 7, 1996: ‘‘Having Russians to proceed with the surgery astronauts into space if we cannot find had to subject many patients to things even though it had not yet decided to the mechanisms behind bone calcium I wouldn’t rather do at the time, I support the mission. loss and the deterioration of muscles think it is appropriate that I have to What happened in the interim? The that help humans fight gravity and go through with it.’’ House agreed overwhelmingly on a bi- stand upright? The answer is obvious. Now, why do I provide all this detail partisan vote to prohibit the continued It is resounding. It is an empirical no. on the recent Columbia mission experi- spending of NASA funds on Bion. This will not make the difference. ments on astronauts? It is because The independent panel met on July 1, So the proponents of this program NASA’s real justification for the Bion 1996 and issued a letter the day after then make four primary arguments in experiments is not that they are col- the meeting. The letter does say that support of the continuation of Bion. lecting data from the rhesus monkeys the proposed science will ‘‘likely yield Let me just mention what their argu- they are not collecting from astro- meaningful results,’’ the animal wel- ments are and respond briefly. First, nauts. They are. It is that they feel fare proposal meets ‘‘U.S. legal stand- they say the scientific and humane that the monkey studies will help them ards,’’ and that rhesus monkeys are ap- concerns are overblown and have been better interpret the changes in humans propriate surrogate human animal sub- addressed. from the biopsy studies and the studies ject for these types of experiments. Second, they say the Bion Program in the noninvasive tests they con- I am concerned the previous argu- results are important for manned space ducted on the Columbia astronauts. The ment by the Senator from Missouri did flight. astronauts’ biopsies are limited in size, not include in his verbal statement, al- Third, they say we are likely to get and allegedly the Bion monkeys could though he may have included it in the useful domestic byproducts from Bion provide more samples from more mus- RECORD, the rest of the story, if you research for osteoporosis and other dis- cles. The Bion monkeys will provide will, the rest of the letter. ease sufferers. bone biopsies, to which astronauts I am concerned by how the Merrell Finally, they say with regard to the would not submit, and the Bion mon- panel letter concludes: fiscal issues that the savings figures keys’ results will be compared with the However, we were sensitive to the concerns are not savings at all. I will try to ad- astronauts’ results. raised by the public and within our commit- dress all of these, and of course some of Why do this? Because those involved tee about divisive opinions over animal re- this has already been addressed by the in the experiments want to confirm search. . . . Therefore, we strongly urge NASA to devise and implement a bioethics Senator from New Hampshire, but I that, indeed, the same changes occur in review policy for animal experimentation to want to add to it. immobile rhesus monkeys that occur include participation of a professional I think the strongest argument in reasonably active astronauts. What bioethicist. This group should begin its ac- against the Bion missions is the ques- does this say in response to those who tivities before Bion 12 is activated. We be- tion of whether or not the experiments argue that these tests are not really lieve it is not morally justified to proceed are redundant, which, of course, speaks that invasive and should proceed on otherwise. to their importance to manned space rhesus monkeys. The conclusion of the Merrell panel flight. That is a distinct question from But to return to the main point, Mr. has led some to believe that the panel whether or not the scientific study President, this is research designed to really met just for show, and that the S9786 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 pressure of having already implanted tion of the House, we will be asked to ton with the astronaut program down wires in the monkeys made the rec- terminate Bion 12 next year. Instead, I there, Mike DeBakey was a good friend ommendations what they were. As the think we should act now to end our in- of ours. I used to go in and watch him associate director for Life Sciences at volvement and to reinstate the House- operate. Do you know what all those the Ames Research Center was re- passed language. operations were prefaced on? They ported as having said in a July 12, 1996, Everyone knows the Federal budget prefaced them on animal experiments. Science article announcing the Merrell has constant pressure from numerous The heart operation, the valve replace- panel decision and reporting the House competing needs, and NASA itself is ments and the operations of heart re- vote ‘‘we have to turn this [House vote] facing significant pressures. For exam- placement, all were done with animal around in the Senate.’’ ple, last Friday’s—August 30, 1996— experiments ahead of time. On July 23, 1996 I received a letter in Washington Post reported that there is We could go on and on. For all the support of the Bion project from the an ongoing dialog among top officials drug tests that we have in this coun- Americans for Medical Progress Edu- at Kennedy Space Center about signifi- try—I do not mean drug tests to see if cational Foundation. The letter makes cant civil service cuts that may num- people are using drugs, I mean drugs several arguments on the need for con- ber as many as 1,445 people with 547 that are antibiotics and so on that we tinuation of Bion, most which I have layoffs at that site which now employs use—we preface our human use by previously described, but adds an addi- approximately 2,100 Federal workers. making experiments on animals. I am tional one that I would like to share Given those kind of pressures, this sure the whole medical community with colleagues—‘‘the animal subjects project makes little sense. It cannot be would be up in arms if we tried to in Bion are treated well and, upon re- fiscally justified. knock all of that out. turn, will be retired in Russia and idol- I thank the Senator from New Hamp- We try out vaccines on animals. We ized as space heroes.’’ I am sure the shire and urge my colleagues to sup- try out bone research on things that monkeys are very excited about that, port the motion to table, which will will make bones knit together better. but I am not certain that the authors have the effect of supporting the com- We do that in animal research. We do realized how concerning and bizarre mittee amendment and opposing spend- that in eye research, we did corneal that statement sounds, particularly as ing additional dollars on the Bion Pro- transplants on animals—I believe it was rabbits, as I recall —before we did a justification for spending $15 million gram. over the next 2 fiscal years. Odder still, I yield the floor. it on human beings. We did that be- is that the statement has some basis in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- cause it is safer for people to have that fact. NASA staff, in meeting with my ator from Ohio. kind of experiment. staff, described that the chairs in Mr. GLENN. Mr. President, I rise in We were concerned these experiments which the monkeys are restrained are opposition to the amendment offered be done humanely, so we passed the actually lined with bear fur, the same by my friends from New Hampshire and Animal Welfare Act. It is the law that sets the standards of how we permit as the seats of the Russian cosmo- Wisconsin, and I want to speak in sup- animal research to be done in this nauts. This is done because the Russian port of the Bion mission. country, so it is done humanely. Those cosmonauts believe such seat covering We are singling out a particular area rules are basically the rules that we is thought to be more comfortable. of animal research because it happens follow and also, as I understand it, the Finally, I believe that question about to be on a space flight, I guess, because Russians follow, or are following now. I whether the Russians might be able to it happens to be up there a little bit am the first to say some of the things financially support these missions above the atmosphere, going around, we heard early on about the Bion without United States involvement is where we have a unique opportunity to project, I questioned about whether it unclear. On May 24, 1996, in a Science do some of this research in the micro- was being done properly or not. But magazine article on the Bion project, gravity environment of near-Earth those things are corrected if they ever the director of biomedical and life space. We are not talking about doing were true. They are being corrected sciences at NASA is quoted as saying away with all animal research, as I un- and they are being monitored very, ‘‘if NASA were to pull out, Russia derstand it. Yet, we have hundreds and very closely. could proceed on its own. If they can hundreds and hundreds of thousands of The point is, these Bion flights rep- afford to do it, they will. It’s their ani- animal research projects with animals resent an effective approach to con- mals and their capsule.’’ The July 12, involved in medical research right here ducting very important biomedical re- 1996, Science paints a different picture. on Earth. search. To knock this out just because Quoting the head of the Bion Program My distinguished colleague from New the laboratory happens to be up here at the Institute for Biomedical Prob- Hampshire said a while ago, why do we weightless, going around in micro- lems in Moscow, Science reports that need these monkeys up there because gravity up a little bit off the Earth’s he is concerned about the fate of Bion we have some 38 years of human experi- surface here, to knock it out because it 12. ‘‘Given Russia’s cash strapped space ence in space? We do have that kind of is part of the space program and ignore program,’’ he says, ‘‘if any partner experience. But I also submit we have all of the other hundreds of thousands pulled out it would pose a serious prob- hundreds of thousands of years of of animal research projects going on, I lem.’’ human experience right here on Earth do not think makes much sense. In the end, either situation concerns and we still find the need to do medical Bion research is fundamental, peer- me and I think it concerns the Senator research here on Earth and use animals reviewed research at the center of from New Hampshire and the rest of us to do that medical research. NASA’s program for exploring how the who are working on this. I believe it So, if we are just against medical re- body changes in microgravity, and confirms why colleagues should oppose search using animals, that is one thing. there are a lot of changes. NASA and the committee amendment and table But to say that because we happen to Russia have cooperated on Bion mis- it. If Russia can afford this experiment, be up here a little distance off the sions for 20 years now. This is not then Russia should conduct it. If Rus- Earth’s surface, we are now going to something just starting up. We have sia can’t support it, and the United prohibit it up there, or to say the been at this for a long time. The fact States is funding the lion’s share of the money spent, the comparatively small is, we have used the Bion spacecraft to program, then we should not proceed amount of money being spent on this is produce major findings on space flight with a program about which there are going to be cut out, I just think flies in and health. serious lingering concerns about hu- the face of what our experience has Mr. President, the amendment’s pro- mane treatment of the animal subjects been with animal research. ponents argue that the Bion missions as well as the necessity for the pro- What am I talking about? Here on are not necessary because we have al- gram. The Merrell panel specifically Earth we now have open heart oper- ready sent people in orbit and, there- calls for an additional ethicist to be ations. I am a frustrated doctor at fore, we can study the effects of micro- added to the research team, and I be- heart. I started out wanting to be a gravity directly on people who have al- lieve casts doubt on Bion 11. I can as- doctor years ago. I got sidetracked by ready flown. Obviously, we know peo- sure Senators that if we ignore the ac- World War II. But when I was in Hous- ple have survived space flight, but this September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9787 does not mean we know what happens (3) The animal care and welfare proposals deconditioning on orbit? Are these in our bodies. We are still trying to meet all requirements and— changes reversible in space by some ar- find out what the basic changes in the Listen to this— tificial means or here on Earth for body are that occur in microgravity and U.S. legal standards. those of our elderly citizens, some 44 that give us some of the results that we In other words, the Bion project is million, almost, above the age of 60, as get. Just as researchers on the ground being conducted under our Animal Wel- I pointed out yesterday? If so, then how sometimes need to use animal models fare Act, under the same guidelines we do we make these changes reversible by the hundreds of thousands all over have for our own research laboratories for benefit right here on Earth? the country, researchers in space must in this country. We do not know the answers to these use animals as well. In addition, the task force rec- questions, and that is the challenge. The plain fact is that for some types ommended NASA devise and imple- But, Mr. President, that is also the op- of research, animals are better subjects ment a bioethics review concerning portunity and that is why the Bion than people. For one thing, human as- their policies for animal experimen- missions are so important, because tronauts are not genetically uniform. tation and that this review include par- when we identify the underlying mech- Compared to lab animals, there is a lot ticipation by a professional bioethicist. anisms by which the body adapts to more natural variability in the human Not only did Mr. Goldin accept this space, we may also identify much, population from both environmental recommendation, but such a task force much more. and genetic factors. With the small review is getting underway with not What if this research leads to new in- sample sizes and brief time periods in- one but four bioethicists, in addition to herent in most space flight opportuni- sights on how to treat osteoporosis? other veterinarians and researchers. Not only would that make the lives of ties, more reliable baselines for certain Mr. President, NASA has made the measurements can be obtained using thousands of elderly people more en- space environment seem almost com- joyable, it would save countless mil- lab animals. monplace. It has been an amazingly Another benefit is that a lab animal’s lions of dollars in health care costs. successful program. We see videos of diet can be more easily controlled than A better understanding of balance astronauts floating in the space shut- an astronaut’s. Astronauts up there for and vestibular changes in the elderly tle, and it looks like a lot of fun, and 14 days, 17 days, as the STS–78 mission, could help prevent falls and avoid de- it is. But along with that goes an awful get a little cranky when you tell them bilitating injuries for elderly people. lot of research. It is a tremendous they have to eat the same pellets for 14 That is another area. amount of research. That is the only days, or whatever it is you want the reason we have the program, is to do The immune system changes. Think animals to eat to control its diet and what happens if we can just figure out dietary intake. basic research, not to see whether we can go up there and get back now, but what the common ground is between Given the fact lab animals fulfill a what happens to people in space over a vital role in microgravity research, it to do basic research in orbit. It is easy to forget just what a for- lengthy period of time as the immune is imperative that these animals be system goes downhill, becomes less ef- treated in a humane way, and I agree eign and challenging environment space is. Zero gravity is unique, not fective and in the elderly here on Earth with that 100 percent. All people in- whose immune systems normally with volved with the Bion Program should just in the history of human experi- old age become less effective. If we be held accountable for the animals’ ence, but in the history of life itself. could find out by comparing back and welfare, and they are. The animals’ Few of us have been able to experience forth what causes that kind of a mech- care and well-being is maintained be- weightlessness, and we are the first anism, can we trigger it off artificially, fore and during flight. Following the people to have done that in the some is this a new approach to AIDS, is it flight, the animals are returned to the 4.5-billion-year history of life on Earth. something we can learn here that is a Russian breeding colony, or another Nothing in our evolutionary history new approach to cancer? suitable habitat, where they are main- prepares us for being weightless. tained humanely for the remainder of But here is what we find after people We do not know, but that is the pur- their natural lives. This program has are up there weightless for a period of pose of research, to find out exactly been reviewed—I point this out very time: some of those answers that are of bene- specifically—this program has been re- The bones begin to lose some of their fit not only in space but will have di- viewed by independent experts who mass. Calcium content comes out of rect application to people’s lives right have concluded that it is legitimate the bones; here on Earth. science performed in a humane man- Muscles atrophy, they get less I am not trying to say that the Bion ner. capable; missions are the key to the fountain of Several months back, Dr. Jane The body’s system for maintaining youth. Far from it. But it is basic re- Goodall, who is famous for her primate balance begins to change; search on processes analogous to aging experiences in Africa along Lake Coordination is reduced; that can only be performed on orbit, The immune system becomes less ef- Tanganyika in Africa—she is known all and we don’t know where it will lead. fective; over the world, and I have known her a But if there is one thing we know from Sleep patterns and the body’s natural number of years—contacted me about our whole U.S. experience in support- clock are affected. And that is just for her concerns in this regard, about the ing basic research throughout our his- starters. Bion Program specifically. I relayed Some of my colleagues may find this tory, it is that money spent in this these concerns both by telephone and list has a very, very familiar ring to it, area normally has a way of paying off letter to NASA Administrator Dan and I talked about this in more detail beyond anything we normally see at Goldin, who established an independent on the floor yesterday. I know it has a the outset. task force to review the Bion project. I familiar ring to me. It is not because I I think we owe it to our children and want to quote from a letter the task have been in orbit, but because reduced to our grandchildren to find the an- force wrote to the chairman of the muscle mass, bones becoming more swers as best we can to some of these NASA advisory council dated July 2, fragile, deteriorated balance and co- things and the opportunity we have to 1996. I think the letter was entered into ordination, reduced immune efficiency do that. the RECORD a little while ago by Sen- and sleep disturbances are changes Mr. President, my colleagues have ator BOND. The task force unanimously that occur with the normal aging proc- heard me speak in detail about the recommended the Bion project proceed ess here on Earth, as well as what hap- value of basic research and how we do with the following findings: pens on a space flight. not always know what benefits will (1) The quality of science proposed . . . is What are the mechanisms for these come from such research. But let me excellent. It has been reviewed by peers in a changes? Are the same mechanisms in just talk very briefly about some of the very thorough and repeated manner and has withstood analysis for nearly a decade. play among the aging on Earth and the benefits and technology spinoffs that (2) There are no known alternative means astronauts in orbit? Would an older as- have come out of the Bion Program to to achieve the objectives of the proposal. tronaut experience slower or faster date. S9788 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 Doctors at the University of Califor- committee on appropriations said that wastes the taxpayers’ money. And all nia at San Francisco are using the bio- we run into a lot of things in this busi- of that could not be further from the sensors and telemetry technology de- ness, and especially here on the floor of truth. veloped for the Bion Program to mon- the U.S. Senate, that we do not quite Animal welfare groups are waging an itor the condition of fetuses with life understand. I chair the Subcommittee all-out campaign against the program threatening conditions. For some con- on Science, Technology and, of course, simply because four Russian rhesus genital medical conditions, doctors can Space, and NASA. That is the commit- monkeys are scheduled to be used in more safely and effectively operate on tee that provides the authorization for the Bion 11 and 12 missions. Because of fetuses in the womb. Such surgery was NASA. this continued pressure, the Bion Pro- much riskier before this sensor tech- So I state my support for the Bion gram has been continuously scruti- nology was available. Program and, of course, this appropria- nized and it has been continuously A computerized video system devel- tions here which rejects the House lan- peer-reviewed. The experiments were oped to test the behavioral perform- guage that prohibits the funding of the peer-reviewed in 1988, 1992, and again in ance of Bion monkeys is now being Bion 11 and 12 missions. In science and 1993. used to teach learning disabled technology we run into a lot of things In December 1995 the Administrator children. that we do not quite understand be- of NASA, Daniel Goldin, again re- A device to noninvasively test bone cause I do not think there are very quested an external panel of scientists strength was proven effective in Bion many of us on this floor that are sci- to review the research. And the 12-per- monkeys and is now commercially entists. son panel of independent experts available to assess the condition of The Bion Program is an important strongly recommended that NASA pro- human patients suffering osteoporosis cooperative space venture between the ceed with the remaining Bion missions. and other bone diseases. United States, Russian, and French As in the previous reviews, their find- While conducting ground-based re- space agencies for international bio- ings reconfirmed the importance of the search in preparation for a Bion mis- medical research using Russian-pro- program and its scientific merit. The sion, Dr. Danny Riley of the Medical vided support systems, their space- panel concluded that the science is ex- College of Wisconsin discovered a craft, payload and, of course, the rhe- cellent; rhesus monkeys are the appro- staining technique that surgeons can sus monkeys. It is a cost-effective pro- priate species to address the scientific use to more accurately reconnect the gram. It is based on sound science. It objectives; and there are no alternative peripheral nerves in severed limbs. And has been peer-reviewed, I think, four means for obtaining the essential infor- this discovery did not involve any am- times. I could be wrong, but I think mation that will be gained from this putation of animals’ limbs to do that four times. And every time they have research. research. In the past, the only markers come away with the recommendation So the Bion Program is being debated surgeons have had for accurately re- that the research should move forward. here because the most radical animal joining the peripheral nerves have been Some of the results are likely to pro- rights activists have elevated their the positions and size of the nerve vide insights into understanding com- own agenda above the interests of good axons. Dr. Riley discovered a staining plex physiological processes which science and, further, above the lives of technique that stains sensory axons occur during the normal aging process human beings. but not motor axons. Not only is this a or are involved in Earth-based diseases I think this amendment, if it is boost for neurological research, but it such as anemia, osteoporosis, muscular passed, will have very serious repercus- will improve the successful prospects atrophy and the immune system dys- sions on other Federal agencies. I for reattaching limbs that have been function. think these agencies include the Na- severed. In Billings, MT, the Deaconess Re- tional Science Foundation, the Na- Mr. President, to conclude—I gave a search Institute there has the largest tional Institutes of Health, the Depart- more lengthy statement yesterday in data base on osteoporosis in women ment of Energy, the Department of De- detail of some of these areas—but to that there is in the country. Because of fense, and the Veterans’ Administra- conclude, Bion research is important. a stable population in my town of Bil- tion. Their support for research in the It is thoroughly reviewed research. It lings, MT, they have been able to move biomedical and life sciences can also be is conducted humanely. It presents a forward on a lot of this research. But jeopardized by the outcome of this vote real opportunity for new insights into the research that is done in space be- today. There is a well-established sci- the human body every bit as much as comes evermore important. Indeed, the entific process leading to awards of medical research right here on the sur- first 10 missions of the Bion Program Federal support. Being chairman of face of the Earth. have already benefited our lives that committee, we deal with this We have a new environment up here. through technological spinoffs, such as every day. The proposed experiments It is the microgravity of space flight. It the development of devices to monitor undergo peer review by experts, and offers a whole new opportunity to do human fetuses following life-saving this includes the review of the use and animal research ahead of the human surgery and to noninvasively test bone care of animals that are used in re- beings perhaps doing the same thing strength in patients suffering from search programs. So this is nothing later on. As I said, initially we do those bone diseases. These benefits to our new to the authorizing committee that same things right here on Earth with health and well-being are an addition I chair. regard to all sorts of experiments that to the knowledge gained to help NASA This amendment contradicts existing have led to heart operations, drug protect the health and safety of our Federal policies, contradicts the proce- tests, new vaccines, bone research, eye space travelers. dures for scientific peer review and lab- research, and so on, that we do here on Yes, there are those who would like oratory animal welfare that has al- Earth. And I see no reason whatsoever to scrap the space program altogether. ready been put in place by Congress. It why we should knock this out when it I am not one of those. I am saying that sends a message that Members of Con- is a very, very valuable program. this society, this American society, in gress, not scientists, are the best judge So, Mr. President, I hope that we will fact the unique American is a person of the quality of the science projects. I, defeat this amendment and I hope our that is always reaching out, going into therefore, challenge any Members of colleagues will see the wisdom of going the unknown, exploring the unknown. this body, as certain projects come be- in that direction also. I yield the floor. When we quit doing that, then we lose fore us, especially in the area of re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who a part of ourselves. search science and science develop- seeks recognition? Basically, I have a hunch that this ment, that if everybody is an expert on Mr. BURNS addressed the Chair. amendment is not really about NASA. everything that we talked about and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- It is an anti-animal research amend- allocated money to do research for, I ator from Montana. ment. The animal welfare groups have would really be surprised. But we do Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise targeted the Bion project for elimi- have a peer review system, and, thus, if today to oppose the Smith motion. A nation. They claim that research is not the passage of this amendment were while ago, the chairman of this sub- necessary and it is inhumane and it successful, it would undermine the September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9789 whole foundation that has been as- wants to close and then make the ta- bone mass and muscle deterioration, sumed on scientific research. bling motion. But I sincerely hope that and brain and motor functioning is dif- Animal research plays an integral we can wrap this up by noon. The Sen- ferent. We know that space affects the part in all of our lives. It has been said ator from South Carolina would like to spinal cord and bones, muscles and im- that without animal research, most, if speak for 3 minutes on this measure. I mune system, as well as the brain. But not all, of the medical advances in the hope we can conclude this debate by what we don’t know is whether these last century might never have oc- noon, or at least by 12:30, and then effects are long-term, and whether the curred. For example, we could still have the tabling motion. We will dis- bone and muscle loss is permanent. We have polio, and today nearly 38 million cuss with the leadership when that don’t know that. Can the deterioration Americans would be at risk of death vote will occur. be counteracted in space? We don’t from a heart attack, stroke, kidney Ms. MIKULSKI. Yes, because, as I know that. What else occurs that failure, for the lack of medication to understand it, when the motion to might not have occurred in 400 days control their high blood pressure. I table is made, isn’t the vote imme- that might occur for a longer period of could go on and on. I am getting more diate? time? We don’t know that. of an education in that field all the The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are in We have an opportunity to find out time. I happen to be a very proud fa- a nondebatable posture at that point, by using animal experiments in space. ther of a doctor who graduates medical that is correct. Science doesn’t tell us where the an- school next spring. So I have a feeling Ms. MIKULSKI. Must the vote occur swers are. As we look at the great that my education is going to continue immediately, or could it be delayed breakthroughs in science, they have until they put me in the ground, so to after the party conferences? come, sometimes, with hard research. speak. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Unless They have sometimes come by com- The antianimal research amendment the Members would seek a unanimous plete chance, as people are looking for forces NASA to withdraw from a signed consent agreement to schedule it for a one thing and stumble across some- contract with the other nations—Rus- different time. thing else. But we do know that they sia and France. It derails scientific Ms. MIKULSKI. While the Senator never come if the research is not con- peer review and thwarts the Animal from Utah is speaking, perhaps we can ducted and if people do not make an at- Welfare Act. Is this the message, I ask talk with the leaders about how they tempt to find out these answers. this body, that we want to send? Allow- wish to handle the vote. I believe the I won’t repeat all of the arguments ing a single interest group that totally Democratic leader wishes it to be after that have been made on the floor, be- opposes animal research to dictate the conference. cause I think they have been very co- NASA’s or other Government agencies’ Mr. BOND. I thank the Senator from gent. I do agree that the Senate is not research goals cannot be tolerated. I Maryland. I will defer to our leader- the appropriate place to try to micro- have seen these groups work. Some- ship. I understand from the Senator manage a scientific project when, in times they have a less-than-candid from New Hampshire that there are no fact, it has been subjected to the view of what has to happen as far as further speakers on his side. So we will amount of peer review and overall science and technology is all about just hear from the speakers who are now management guidance that this par- to further their own cause. lined up to speak in opposition to that ticular program has. So, Mr. President, the Bion Program tabling motion. Then we will, after The Senator from Ohio has quoted is worthy. The amendment is not truly they have spoken, ask the Senator Dr. Ronald Merrell, the chairman of about the merits of research or the from New Hampshire to proceed and surgery from Yale, who is the scientist costs, because the costs are nothing. make the tabling motion, perhaps, who has written to the NASA advisory What it is about is the welfare of ani- with a unanimous consent request that council. I urge my colleagues to refer mals being used for research. I support the vote be postponed until a time cer- to those quotes. I would like to add appropriate procedures to protect the tain. just a few more to those which we have safety and well-being of animals, but The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- already seen. From the American this amendment is simply inappropri- ator from Utah is recognized. Physiological Society, I have a letter ate. Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I was that says: Mr. President, I yield the floor. particularly enlightened by the com- The research is scientifically necessary, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who ments of the Senator from Ohio, who important to NASA’s mission, and should be seeks recognition? has a unique perspective on this par- allowed to proceed. ticular issue. As I have noted here be- The Bion research is intended to expand Mr. BENNETT addressed the Chair. what we know about how space flight affects The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- fore, I come as the successor to Sen- muscles, bones, balance, and performance. ator from Utah is recognized. ator Jake Garn, who also has a unique While human beings have spent long periods Ms. MIKULSKI. Will the Senator perspective on this issue, and who, if he of time in space, it has not been possible to withhold for a second? were still in the Senate, would be fully document the changes to their bodies. Mr. BENNETT. Yes, I am pleased to. speaking out very strongly in favor of In part that is because for their own comfort Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I the committee position. and protection, astronauts take medications bring to the Presiding Officer’s atten- We are talking about America’s space to counteract space sickness and do inten- tion, and to my colleagues’ in the Sen- effort, America’s interest in exploring sive exercise to overcome the harmful wast- ing effects of prolonged weightlessness. ate, I believe we are moving at a good in space, and we made the decision, as These countermeasures make it hard to de- pace in this debate. I see on the floor a country, to put humans into space for termine exactly what is happening to their our colleague from Tennessee, Dr. a prolonged period of time at some bodies. The Bion 11 and 12 experiments are FRIST, who wants to speak on this. I point in the future. It makes no sense intended to fill gaps in our knowledge so do, as well. I encourage anybody else to fund a program and put humans into that we can find better ways to counteract who wishes to speak, to please come to space and not to do the research nec- the effects of weightlessness on the body. the floor so we can move to concluding essary to understand what will happen I found that interesting. I remember this debate before the respective cau- to humans when they get there. That is talking with our former colleague, cus. I think this has been an outstand- essentially what the motion to table Senator Garn, about the problems that ing discussion. would do. It would say, yes, we will go he had both preparing for his space Mr. BOND. I thank my colleague ahead and fund the programs to put hu- flight and some of the space sickness from Maryland for pointing that out. I mans in space, but we will not fund the experiences he had while he was there. hope if there are others—particularly research to find out what will happen He took the countermeasures to which proponents of the motion to strike— to them. the letter that I quoted refers, and he they will come down by the time the We are told that we already know was able to function properly. But that Senator from Maryland is prepared to what will happen, that humans have is something that had not occurred to talk. I have asked her if she will con- stayed in space for 439 days. It is true me until this letter came in as a reason clude comments on this side. I think that on the basis of that, we know why we need to proceed with the ani- that the Senator from New Hampshire what happens. They experience loss of mal research. S9790 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 From the American Society for as a heart and lung transplant surgeon, rect experience in the benefits of this Gravitational and Space Biology, I as a heart specialist, as a lung special- type of research. I say all of that be- offer the following: ist, as someone who spent the last 20 cause a lot of the rhetoric that has To kill this program just as mankind em- years of his life in the field of medi- sprung around today of monkeys in barks on permanent presence in space would cine, as one who has been a beneficiary space and getting monkeys off the tax- be a serious mistake. of that research and seen the great payers’ backs we really need to put From the Association of American benefits to mankind, to people aside and engage this in a very serious Universities, the National Association throughout the world. and scientific way because this sci- of State Universities and Land-Grant My perspective is one of a scientist entific research, I think, can be critical Colleges, and the Association of Amer- who has written over 100 papers that to the safety of human beings both in ican Medical Colleges, I have this have been peer reviewed. I would like space but also ultimately in this coun- quote: to come through the peer-review proc- try. ess because I think it is not only criti- We are concerned about the precedent this Much has been said in terms of the amendment sets in terminating research cal to the way we address this fairly peer-review process. Let me tell you as that has been peer reviewed and approved on complex issue but one which I think a scientist, as someone who has oper- the basis of scientific merits. the peer-review process and the impor- ated on monkeys, as someone who has That is another interesting thought tance it places on our review will go a taken that research to the human where the Congress has authorized long way to keep us, Members of Con- arena, I cannot stand before this body science to go forward. The science has gress, from micromanaging the sci- and before the American people and entific process today. been peer reviewed. It has been de- say that I, BILL FRIST, a physician with About 2 months ago I was in Ten- clared to be appropriate. Then for the about 16 years of medical training, can nessee, and someone came up to me Congress to come in and say, no, we do evaluate this specific research. So what and handed me a picture of a young 6- not like your peer reviews, we are not do I do? I turn to my peers who are ex- year-old boy. I did not recognize the going to pay any attention to the sci- perts, who five times in the past boy, to be honest. But the two proud through a peer-review process have entists, we are going to override it, is, grandparents, I found out later, handed looked at these specific projects and indeed, a bad precedent for us to set. me the picture and were a little sur- said that this is sound research, that Finally, from the Americans for Med- prised I did not recognize him. But I this is important research, important ical Progress Educational Foundation, did not recognize him because I had not research that needs to be carried out in this quote: seen him in 6 years. He was 6 years old. this environment and elsewhere. Bion makes sense. At 3 weeks of age I had done a heart We have to be very careful, I think, (1) Scientifically it will yield critical transplant on that young boy when he knowledge of the effects of space travel on in this body before engaging in the was, I think, 20 or 21 days of age. Now human physiology. This knowledge is essen- micromanagement of the type of re- he is alive today playing baseball and tial for the safety of current and future search that goes on in this country, or in the first grade. I talked to his par- space travelers; that will go on. The temptation is (2) Financially, $14 million of the total $33 ents actually just a couple of weeks going to always be, I think, to rely million has already been spent. To halt in ago. midstride would mean that all of that money The research which allowed me to upon what feels best to us as legisla- was wasted. More to the point, Russia has take the 5-week-old heart and put it in tors, or to people who come before us. funded the vast majority of the costs of all of a 3-week-old individual that has al- I think we have to be very careful, in these projects. If the United States was to lowed this little boy to be alive today setting national priorities, to rely upon attempt to garner this data on its own, the the medical community, to rely upon costs could exceed $.5 billion. came out of operations on monkeys, rhesus monkeys, and, yes, as a U.S. the scientific community through that In summary then, Mr. President, I Senator I can tell you that I have oper- peer-review process. am a supporter of the space program. I ated on rhesus monkeys. I have done it In that regard, much has been made believe we should move ahead with our in a humane way, and those were treat- already this morning of the fact that attempt to discover and explore in this ed just like other patients—were given the Bion experiments have been peer final frontier. I do not believe that we anesthesia and were protected. Safe- reviewed five times for scientific merit. should prepare the space program to guards were in place. But that little We have already talked about that. In send humans up into space without boy is alive today because I learned December 1995 an expert panel of sci- doing all of the appropriate research that procedure and helped to figure out entists—the Bion Sience Assessment that we possibly can on the impact on that procedure based on operating on Panel—conducted a review of the human physiology of space travel. This monkeys about 8 years ago. science which encompasses the United program is the most intelligent, the I can’t help but think of a 60-year-old States and French portions of the ex- most carefully charted, and the most man today who I did a heart transplant periments. We know that the Bion as- financially responsible way for us to on about probably 6 years ago who was sessment panel—this was mentioned by gather that data. kept alive for about 32 days with an ar- the Senator from Wisconsin—rec- For those reasons I support the com- tificial heart. That artificial heart I ommended certain procedural improve- mittee’s position. had learned to implant and figured out ments in program management that I yield the floor. the details of in animal research spend- overall the panel has commended since The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who ing day after day operating and placing as meritorious and recommended that seeks recognition? that device in animals before placing it the Bion 11 and 12 missions proceed. Mr. FRIST addressed the Chair. into a human being who is alive today In addition to this 1995 review, we The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- because of the technology and because had reviews of outside committees in ator from Tennessee is recognized. of the scientific advances that were 1988 and 1992 and 1993. In 1988, a panel Mr. FRIST. Thank you, Mr. Presi- made because of animal research. convened by the American Institute of dent. I can’t help but think about 1986 Biological Sciences reviewed and deter- Mr. President, I rise in opposition to when I was engaged very directly in mined the scientific merit of the exper- the tabling motion and in support of primate research doing heart-hung imental proposal submitted in response the Bion research project. transplants on monkeys. Just 12 to a NASA research announcement. My perspective is a bit different than months after doing those heart-lung In March 1992, a second independent many of the people that you have transplants on monkeys in a humane review of the integrated United States- heard from today in that we have way, I was able to transplant in a 21- French set of flight experiments was talked this morning and debated this year-old woman who had in-stage heart conducted to assess continued rel- morning about animal research, about and lung disease, who underwent the evance of rhesus experiments, and the use of various animals, notably first successful heart-lung transplant again they recommended that the rhe- monkeys and primates in research. in the Southeast back in 1985. sus project should continue. And in I stand before you as one who has So you can see that I stand before July 1993, an independent science criti- seen through my own picture window you as someone who has had very di- cal design review gave the rhesus September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9791 project the authority to proceed with fairs, Housing and Urban Development, Maryland, I not only have the honor of the transition to payload development. and independent agencies. This is a representing one of the primary space I did receive a letter from the Asso- broad measure which provides appro- centers in the United States, Goddard, ciation of American Medical Colleges priations for a variety of programs. It but I also represent the National Insti- which most people know represents funds veterans, public and assisted tutes of Health as well as Johns Hop- over 120 accredited U.S. medical housing, environmental protection, kins University and the University of schools, represents some 400 major NASA, the Federal Emergency Man- Maryland, all of which engage in very teaching hospitals, represents 74 Veter- agement Agency, and other programs. I strong scientific research and, in many ans’ Administration medical centers, 86 commend the managers of this bill for instances, do use animal testing in academic and professional societies their balanced approach in funding the their protocols. representing 87,000 faculty members many Government functions contained So as someone who believes that we and the Nation’s 67,000 medical stu- in this bill. need to have scientific breakthroughs dents and 102,000 medical and surgical Mr. President, let me note a few of to save lives, whether it is at NASA or and other medical specialty residents. the highlights of this bill. This bill re- NIH, I do believe we do need to have This letter basically says that ‘‘the flects the intent of Congress of keeping animal research in life science AAMC is deeply concerned about the Government costs under control. The projects. precedent the House action sets in ter- total appropriation, $84.7 billion, is I am not alone in that view. We have minating research that has been re- only a slight increase over last year’s heard from a Senator-astronaut, Sen- viewed and approved on the basis of funding. However, it is $2.8 billion less ator GLENN, from Ohio, who, as we scientific merit. The Bion Project has than the President requested. Reduc- know, was the first astronaut-Senator undergone repeated external expert re- tions to the President’s request are pri- to orbit the Earth, and I think Senator view.’’ marily in administrative costs. In most GLENN is alive today because the first They close by saying that the AAMC, program areas, for actual benefits, lives to go into orbit were monkeys that is, the Association of American funding in this bill is above the Presi- and we knew how to deal with gravity, Medical Colleges, ‘‘strongly supports dent’s request. how to deal with oxygen, how to make the use of merit review to determine I particularly support the commit- sure that we could launch him and how limited Federal funds may most tee’s funding proposal for veterans pro- bring him back safely. We heard from productively be spent for scientific re- grams. This bill provides $39 billion for the distinguished Senator from Ten- search.’’ veterans, which is an increase over last nessee, Dr. BILL FRIST, a medical doc- Again, a letter that has been quoted year’s funding and above the Presi- tor, again talking about the compelling already this morning, from the presi- dent’s request. These funds will ade- nature of doing animal research in order to be able to save human lives. dent of the Association of American quately provide for veterans’ com- Much has been said about this Universities, from the president of the pensation and pensions, medical care, project, and I would like to use this op- National Association of State Univer- and construction projects related to portunity to engage in a factual con- sities and Land Grant Colleges, and outpatient care, medical research, and versation. from the president of the Association veterans’ cemeteries. Just to go over some of the facts, I of American Medical Colleges reads: As a member of the Committee on would like to bring to my colleagues’ ‘‘The Bion missions have been peer re- Veterans’ Affairs and as chairman of attention that Bion 11 and Bion 12 are viewed and approved by five independ- the Committee on Armed Services, my two cooperative United States, Rus- ent panels over the past 8 years. The commitment to the veterans of our sian, and French space flights and they most recent panel found that the qual- armed services remains strong. are scheduled to go up October 1996 and ity of science proposed is very high.’’ I have stated many times that the July 1998 using Russian Bion biosat- And let me underline this following highest obligation of American citizen- ellites. Now, Bion spacecraft are sat- part, that ‘‘there are no known alter- ship is to defend this country in time ellites that do not have crews on them, native means to achieve the objec- of need. In return, this grateful Nation so this will be unmanned. They were tives’’ and that ‘‘the animal care and must care for those who are in any way developed by the Russians, and they fly welfare proposals meet all require- disabled because of their patriotic duty biological experiments with, yes, pri- ments of United States legal stand- in our Armed Forces. I believe the mates—rodents, insects, and plants—in ards.’’ funding levels in this bill will provide near Earth orbit. In closing, as I step back again as the resources for the Government to In very general terms, the major ob- someone who has seen the benefits of meet its obligations to our Nation’s jectives of these biosatellite investiga- science in primate research, as some- veterans. tions are to study the effects of low one who has some experience with the Again, I congratulate the managers gravity and space radiation environ- peer review process, I would like to of this bill for the support of our veter- ment on the structure and function of caution my fellow Members that we ans. I yield the floor. I thank the Sen- individual physiological systems and must be very careful in micromanaging ator. the body as a whole. biomedical research. That is why we Ms. MIKULSKI. I thank the Senator. Understand, this is not the space have a peer review process, and that is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- shuttle with monkeys on it or rodents why it works so well. So let us let that ator from Maryland is recognized. or insects or plants. These are 8 feet in process work. Ms. MIKULSKI. I thank the Chair. diameter. They carry a 2,000-pound I do hope my colleagues will support I think we are about to move to the payload. We have had about 10 of these the continuation of the Bion Program conclusion of this debate, and I think since 1973. What we are talking about for these reasons and resist that temp- it has been an excellent debate. I think here are 10 monkeys that were on pre- tation to micromanage research which proponents of terminating the Bion vious Bion missions that were recov- has also met the criteria of numerous Project are, indeed, well-intentioned ered. In the Bion protocols the mon- peer reviews. people in the Senate, the Senator from keys are actually recovered. Also, Bion I thank the Chair. Wisconsin, and the Senator from New protocols do not include the sacrifice Mr. THURMOND addressed the Chair. Hampshire, and I think their sensitiv- of monkeys. So we are not talking The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ity and concern about the sanctity of about ghoulish, Kafka, grim practices ator from South Carolina is recognized. life should be acknowledged. It is ex- here. We are talking about research, Mr. THURMOND. Will the Senator actly because of our concern about done on mammals, that has been ade- yield me 3 minutes? human life that many of us who are quately scrutinized for protecting the Ms. MIKULSKI. Absolutely. proponents of science and technology animals. Mr. THURMOND. I wish to thank the support well-regulated, well-mon- First, the experiments have been peer able Senator. itored, well-thought-through and nec- reviewed four times for their merit. So, I rise today in support of H.R. 3666, essary animal research. no, these are not just idle experiments. the fiscal year 1997 appropriations bill The issue of animal research is not They have been reviewed on many oc- for the Department of the Veterans Af- new to this Senator. As a Senator from casions for their scientific merit. The S9792 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 whole point of their scientific merit have also been able to improve other nessee, the scientific community, I was to ensure we were getting a dol- monitoring systems—for example, on think the evidence speaks for itself. lar’s worth of research for a dollar’s fetal health, which I know is of great I know the Senator from New Hamp- worth of taxpayer dollars. And, was interest to many of our colleagues. The shire wishes to conclude the debate on there another way to do this research 8 joint Bion missions to date have pro- this, and that is his right. We respect on Earth? The answer came back re- duced access to space for 100 U.S. ex- that. I just ask unanimous consent soundingly that this was valid sci- periments, 90 peer review journals, and that, when the Senator makes his ta- entific research and it was worth the has accounted for one-half of all the bling motion, the vote occur at 2:15. money and it was worth the effort. life science flight experiments accom- I will reel that right back in. Senator These protocols are evaluated and plished with nonhumans. According to BOND and I were trying to expedite the monitored for humane treatment of NASA, similar unmanned satellite pro- vote. It is just a clarification of the animals. Prior to the external peer re- grams developed by NASA alone, with- time. Many of our colleagues on both view by a group called the AIBS, a sci- out Russian support, would cost 20 to sides of the aisle are flying back in. entific group, there was a prerequisite 30 times as much. They may be delayed until afternoon, for funding in which the proposals It is not our job to review the project and I know they want to have their needed to be reviewed by the sponsor- for scientific merit. In fact, that has voices heard on this most important ing institution’s internal animal care been established. It has been reviewed amendment. and use committee. This is in accord- four times for that merit. I believe we The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who ance with the Animal Welfare Act, that need to ensure the ongoing part in this. seeks recognition? The Senator from Ames Research Center has an excel- every institution that conducts re- New Hampshire is recognized. lent animal care program, as dem- search with Federal funds must have Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, this de- onstrated by its full accreditation by an animal care and use committee, it bate, on the part of those who are de- the Association for the Assessment and fending the project, I must say, has must include a veterinarian, a sci- Accreditation of Laboratory Animal been very skillfully conducted. Frank- entist, an ethicist, and so on. So, Care International. This is a nonprofit ly, someone who was paying maybe again, it was not ‘‘let’s put a bunch of organization that reviews animal re- just a little attention to this and not monkeys or rodents in space and put search around the facilities to make to all of the detail would probably electrodes on them and see what hap- sure they are fit for duty and humane pens.’’ All of the scientific protocols in their operation. agree with them. It is unfortunate the were used to ensure the Animal Wel- So I think this project is of merit. I debates and facts get twisted on the fare Act was honored and was practiced think we should continue it. I do not floor of the Senate as they do. on this project. think we should cancel it. This basically now is coming down to I knew there would be reservation be- Earlier in the conversation, someone being an anti-NASA vote, which it is cause this was done by the Russians. talked about the OSTP, the President’s not. I have made a very strong point We are not in the cold war, so that is Office of Science and Technology. They earlier in my comments about my not the issue. But, frankly, one of the also do support the project. I have a strong support for NASA. characteristics of the Russian space letter here from Dr. Gibbons stating It does not take one dime from agency was the astronauts were known that. I ask unanimous consent that be NASA. It allows NASA to reprogram for their incredible bravery. It was an printed in the RECORD. the money into areas that I believe and endurance contest. Often, their work There being no objection, the letter I think NASA would probably agree are focused on endurance test research. was ordered to be printed in the more important. What ours is, though, is more about RECORD, as follows: It is also coming down as being total how we can protect astronauts in THE WHITE HOUSE, opposition to any and all research that space, but also learning from life Washington, DC, July 25, 1996. has ever been done on animals in the science projects that would study these Memorandum for Dan Goldin, Adminis- name of helping human beings. That is biological effects that would protect trator, NASA. not the issue either. people here on Earth. From: John H. Gibbons, Assistant to the The issue is very simply this: Do you What I am told is that NASA is gath- President for Science and Technology. continue to do research after you have Subject: BION Task Force Recommenda- gotten the facts? Do you continue to do ering data on bone mass, muscles, bone tions. structure, healing in space, Thank you for transmitting to me the rec- research over and over and over again osteoporosis—something of tremendous ommendations from the BION Task Force of for no reason? interest to me—and so on. This re- the NASA Advisory Council. I was pleased No one has presented any good rea- search is leading to enormous medical that you decided to form the Task Force to son for this project. There have been advances. This benefits you and I and provide you with independent and expert ad- some general statements made about vice on the program. Their recommendations research by some very sophisticated other Americans. We hope to save are clear and confirm earlier findings by young children because of Bion re- other groups charged to review BION mis- people who I certainly respect, such as search. We are helping to protect sions 11 and 12. The scientific merit of the the Senator from Tennessee. That is women from debilitating bone disease, proposed research, as determined by rigorous not the issue. Once you develop a vac- particularly osteoporosis. peer review, was judged as excellent and im- cine or once you develop something Let me share a few examples. The portant to the future of manned space flight. that cures a disease, do you continue Bion Project has enabled scientists to Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the re- to do the same research on the same view panel observed that there is no known study the cause, treatment, and pre- alternative means to achieve the objectives vaccine over and over and over again vention of spinal cord injuries in space of the program. I also was pleased to learn once you have found out what it does? by using this primate research. The that the animal care and welfare proposals If you vaccinate your child against Bion Project has also produced data on for the Rhesus monkeys meet U.S. legal smallpox, do you continue to vaccinate fluid and electrolyte balance. This has standards. Finally, I am sympathetic with over and over and over and over and tremendous impact on research for peo- the Task Force’s compliments to NASA for over again, or is there some limit? ple with kidney problems on kidney di- its leadership in bioethics and their encour- That is the issue. Do you want to con- agement for NASA to expeditiously imple- alysis. Often, people get sick not only ment a bioethics review policy, thereby con- tinue to waste $15.5 million on research because their kidneys are in failure but tinuing its leadership in this important which is duplicative or don’t you? That because of the failure to maintain an arena. is the issue. electrolyte balance. It has also looked Ms. MIKULSKI. It said: The Senator from Maryland said a at the generation of new blood cells I was . . . pleased to learn that animal care few moments ago, ‘‘It’s not our job to and the whole issue of immunology. It and welfare proposals . . . meet U.S. legal review this project, or any project, for is related to cancer research. standards . . . and the [NASA] task force scientific merit,’’ referring to this We could give many examples of this. compliments . . . its leadership in bioethics project. ‘‘It’s not our job to review this One of the things I think has also been [as well as its scientific merit]. project for scientific merit.’’ very important is, because of the tech- So, when you hear from the Senator I ask my colleagues, if it is not our nology to monitor the primates, we from Ohio, the Senator from Ten- job, since this bill is before us, whose September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9793 job is it? Whose job is it? The White And on and on. under their scalps to reach the circuit boards House said, ‘‘We don’t need this Mr. President, there are people who cemented into the openings in their skulls. project.’’ In essence, that was the con- are very close to this project, highly Eight holes are then drilled into each mon- key’s skull so a metal halo can be screwed clusion they drew. The Administrator respected people, who differ, as we into it for immobilizing the animal for up to of NASA, in a memo that cites him, ba- heard differing opinions expressed here 16 days. Fourteen electrode wires hooked up sically agrees that we do not need it. earlier. I respect those differences. It to seven muscles in the monkeys’ arms and The House of Representatives has does not mean, though, that just be- legs tunnel under the skin and exit from a voted overwhelmingly, 244 to 170-some- cause they have differences that they hole in the animals’ backs. A thermometer is thing that we do not need it. So if it is are correct. surgically buried in each animal’s stomach not our job to review it, why is it here? I have a page here listing seven or and it too exits their backs. Straight jackets are sown on to monkeys to keep them from Why is it in this bill? Whose job is it to eight physicians. Senator FRIST is a ripping the wires out of their bodies. review? physician. I respect him. But here are He goes on to say that this project is When we take that attitude, that is physicians who disagree with him on cruel, pointless, wasteful, scandalous, one of the reasons why we have a $5 this project. Let me just read a couple. shameful, and harmful to NASA’s rep- trillion debt, Mr. President, because no Dr. Roger White, board certified an- utation. one wants to take the time to review esthesiologist, Mayo Clinic, Mr. Presi- Mr. President, if you assume—if you these projects, and the truth of the dent—Mayo Clinic: assume; I do not—but if some do, that matter is, we have oversight respon- Any assessment must be reviewed as one of this type of medical research is nec- sibility in this body, and I take it very the most invasive experimental procedures essary, then why do it after you have seriously. So we should review it. We ever imposed on an animal, beginning with the results? How does a monkey, re- should review everything. We do not surgical procedures of implementation of strained, that cannot even move, how multiple monitoring devices. It is particu- review enough. If we reviewed more, we does this experiment in space help any- would find a lot more waste. larly aggressive to the point of being macabre as well as cruel. body find out anything? And the truth There has been a lot of testimony of the matter is, Mr. President, it does The Senator from Maryland said all from people who are experts, and some not. And everybody in NASA knows it. this was done in the best interest of who pretend to be experts, in this de- Mr. Goldin knows it. The White House bate. Let me cite a couple, because I the animal, nothing macabre was done. knows it. And 244 Members of the think it is important to get some bal- I am not sure that was the term she House know it. But somebody in this ance here. used. Government, some bureaucrat, some- Sharon Vanderlipp is a veterinarian. Let me read exactly what is done. I body who is not in a leadership role on She writes a letter to me in which she think we should know what is done. It this, has decided otherwise. says: is the subject of debate. I do not think So they send in this stuff. And they As former chief of veterinary services for this is the only issue, but I think we make it out to be an issue that some- NASA Ames Research Center— should say what is done. how if you oppose this kind of treat- That is where this work is done; that Now remember, no matter how you ment, that somehow you are opposed is who supervises this project. feel about research, this is done be- to all research, that you want to let cause, and Senator GLENN brought this heart doctors not have the opportunity As former chief of veterinary services for up, we want to determine the effects of NASA Ames Research Center, and as a vet- to test and to do the things they have erinarian with more than 15 years experience weightlessness on these animals in to do to determine how to operate on a in the specialty of laboratory animal medi- space. Astronauts train and exercise human being. It is outrageous to make cine— vigorously in space to keep their mus- those kinds of statements on the floor I hardly would consider her an ani- cles and their bones moving so that of the U.S. Senate. This is a repeti- mal rights activist, I think we could they don’t atrophy, if you will. These tious, unnecessary, experiment putting draw that conclusion fairly safely. She monkeys are restrained. They cannot these monkeys through this for 14 days spent 15 years in laboratory animal move. So I ask whether or not this in space to find out the effect of medicine— kind of treatment is necessary now in weightlessness, when an astronaut this day and age after we have had as- I am writing to request your support of moves around. He exercises. They give Smith-Feingold regarding the Bion experi- tronauts in space over 400 days at a them, as the Senator from Ohio knows, ments. I support animal-related research time to determine the effects of prescribed exercises to do in space. when there are no other research alter- weightlessness on monkeys who are re- They move around. A monkey in a natives and when the derived benefits justify strained, who cannot move. straitjacket cannot move. And yet we the loss of animals lives and monetary ex- I do not know what ‘‘macabre’’ still are doing it. penditure. means. I do not know what ‘‘gruesome’’ This is not 1960. This is 1996. We have This is not the case in the Bion project. means or ‘‘grotesque’’ means. I thought had 40 years of humans in space. Why It is the charge of the U.S. Senate to rep- are we doing it? Because somebody, resent the will of the constituency in deter- I knew what it meant until I heard the mining how their tax dollars will best serve statement from the Senator from whom we cannot identify—no name has them. There is still time to salvage this $15 Maryland. If this isn’t, then I would been given—in this bureaucracy has de- million. like to know what it is. cided we have to have it. And it is During my service at NASA Ames Re- This is in a letter to Daniel S. Goldin being painted that this Senator is op- search Center, July 1993 until my resignation from Leslie Alexander of the Houston posed to NASA. This Senator supports in March of 1994, a review of the medical Rockets. They live in the Houston NASA. This Senator wants money to be records of the nonhuman primates indicated area, have business in the Houston spent in NASA for worthwhile projects, NASA’s failure to provide appropriate sur- area. They are very supportive of not wasted on this. We need to ask our- gical monitoring, pre- and post-operative selves, is this the way the American care. Post-operative deaths were not uncom- NASA and the space program, as I am. mon. These records were reviewed indepth by This is what is done to the animals in people want us to spend their money? myself and included animals involved in the question: Dr. David Wiebers of the Mayo Clinic, chairman of the neurology/epidemiol- Bion protocols. The Bion space project causes unimagina- ogy department: She goes on to talk about some other ble suffering to the young monkeys. violations. I write this letter from the perspective of Again, thinking of the words an academic and practicing neurologist who NASA officials repeatedly ignored my re- ‘‘macabre,’’ ‘‘cruel,’’ whatever you supports progress in medicine but who also quest for assistance in resolving a variety of want to call it. If you don’t think it is, has considerable concern about the well- animal welfare related issues. fine, then you should vote the other being of animals who are utilized in experi- She also says: way. mental procedures, particularly when those Many of the individuals associated with The tops of the monkeys’ skulls are procedures are not scientifically necessary the animal research components of Bion pro- opened, electrodes are wired to their brains, ... tocols are the same individuals who dem- holes are cut in their eyelids and eyeballs, That is the issue here, not sickness. onstrated a total lack of respect for animal wires are run through the holes and stitched . . . and when they involve cruelty to ani- welfare laws. to their eyeballs. The wires are threaded mals . . . it is my opinion that the scientific S9794 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 gains from these procedures will be insignifi- would not require some procedures which are further, that upon the completion of cant. Moreover, these particular animal done for fixation. . . . I am not convinced the vote on the Smith-Feingold mo- studies are extremely invasive and would be that this project will provide meaningful in- tion, Senator BUMPERS be recognized to expected to cause major discomfort . .. formation in a cost-effective manner.—Dr. offer his amendment on the space sta- Dudley H. Davis, M.D., Board-Certified Neu- He is opposed to the project. tion. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- rologist. [T]here have been a vast number of . . . so- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there sent that a sheet entitled ‘‘Doctors say phisticated studies of . . . vestibular func- objection? Without objection, it is so YES to the Smith-Feingold amend- tion performed in humans, above and beyond ordered. ment to H.R. 3666’’ be printed in the [the huge number using] animals, without Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank the RECORD. It is a long list of physicians, any appreciable gain. . . . [C]learly this Chair and I thank my colleague from very well-respected from Stanford, as same old type of stimulate/record study of New Hampshire. well as the Mayo Clinic and others. . . . pathways which has been done exhaus- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- There being no objection, the mate- tively offers no probability of affording any ator from New Hampshire is recog- rial was ordered to be printed in the significant advancement.—Carol Van Petten, nized. M.D., Board-Certified Neurologist. RECORD, as follows: Mr. SMITH. Thank you, Mr. Presi- The only benefit ascertained in my esti- dent. Colleagues are here who wish to DOCTORS SAY YES TO THE SMITH-FEINGOLD mation is the continual drain of dollars out AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3666 of the taxpayer’s pocket and into the pock- speak. I will be very brief. In another (Excerpts from statements from physicians ets of ‘‘researchers’’ like the irresponsible few moments I will be completing my and scientists who reviewed NASA’s Bion scientist[s] . . . who [are] common remarks. I will then move to table. 11/12 protocols) denominator[s] in all of this quackery.— Mr. President, I have cited a number By any assessment this must be viewed as Jack M. Ebner, Ph.D., Physiologist. of doctors who have indicated their op- one of the most invasive experimental proce- Mr. BOND addressed the Chair. position to this. Again, one other one I dures ever imposed on an animal, beginning The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. want to mention comes from Dr. Neal with the surgical procedures of implantation ASHCROFT). The Senator from Missouri. Barnard who wrote me a letter regard- of multiple monitoring devices. ‘‘Surgery Mr. BOND. Mr. President, if I might ing whether or not this is research that #3’’ is particularly aggressive, to the point of interrupt to propound a unanimous- is worthwhile or not. being macabre as well as cruel.—Roger D. consent request. Relevant studies have already been con- White, M.D. Board-Certified Anesthesiol- ducted on humans, the results of which are ogist, Mayo Clinic. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the obviously more pertinent to human space I write this letter from the perspective of Senator from New Hampshire yield for flight. Extensive data is also available from an academic and practicing neurologist who the purposes of that unanimous-con- previous human space missions, some which supports progress in medicine but who also sent request? have exceeded 400 days. NASA’s experiments has considerable concern about the well- Mr. SMITH. Yes. using rhesus monkeys to study motion sick- being of animals who are utilized in experi- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I believe ness, calcium loss and ‘‘sea legs’’ are not ap- mental procedures, particularly when those we have reached agreement on the plicable to humans at all. The physiology of procedures are not scientifically necessary unanimous-consent request that the monkeys and humans differ drastically. A re- and when they involve cruelty to animals. strained monkeys with electrodes implanted .. . It is my opinion that the scientific gains vote on the tabling motion, which Sen- in his legs cannot hope to offer insights into from these procedures will be insignificant. ator SMITH is about to propound, occur the largely neurological, short-lived and self- Moreover, these particular animal studies at 2:15. After he makes that motion, correcting problem of ‘‘sea legs. ‘‘* * * We al- are extremely invasive and would be ex- then the pending amendment would be ready know of methods to limit calcium loss pected to cause major discomfort. . . .— set aside, and Senator MCCAIN would be and treat the symptoms of the motion sick- David O. Wiebers, M.D. Board-Certified Neu- recognized to offer an amendment or ness and ‘‘sea legs.’’ rology/Epidemiology, Chair, Mayo Clinic. amendments. And we would recess at This kind of animal experimentation Of course, in this case the monkey is might have proceeded only a few years ago 12:30 and come back in to vote at 2:15. restrained. So any benefits would be with little or no comment or objection. Now And when that vote is concluded, Sen- minimal. it cannot and must not. If human alter- ator BUMPERS will be recognized to Again, Mr. President, let me con- natives cannot be identified, as the inves- offer his amendment related to the clude on these few points. Sending a tigators assume, then this project should be space station. There is no time agree- primate into orbit 30 years ago, 40 abandoned or radically revised and reviewed ment on that. But debate will begin at years ago, you could claim there would again.—Jennifer Leaning, M.D., M.S. Hyg. 2:30 roughly, 2:30, 2:35, while the Iraqi be some justification. But this is 1996. Board-Certified Internal/Emergency Medi- briefing is going on. Would my col- cine, Harvard Medical School We have had, as I said, 38 to 40 years of During my service at NASA/Ames Re- league care to comment on it? humans in space. Even our two highest search Center (July 1993 until my resigna- Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, the science officials in the memo I already tion in March 1994), a review of the medical Democratic leader has instructed me, cited have said that project is not nec- records of the non-human primates indicated on behalf of our side of the aisle, to, essary. NASA’s failure to provide appropriate sur- upon the completion of the Senator We have had humans in space for gical monitoring, pre- and post-operative from New Hampshire’s debate and his over 400 days at a time. Just about the care, and analgesia. Post-operative deaths anticipated motion to table, that we time astronauts begin experiencing were not uncommon. . . . NASA officials told agree to the unanimous consent that a me NASA had no control over the care of some of the problems associated with BION monkeys in Russia. Veterinarians par- vote occur at 2:15. We further agree weightlessness the Bion trip with the ticipating in the project who had visited the that between now and the time we re- monkeys end. Most of the Russian facility and observed the animals on cess for party caucuses that Senator weightlessness problems referred to by location told me conditions were ‘‘draco- MCCAIN will be speaking on his veter- Senator GLENN happened after the 14th nian’’ and that the animals received food of ans amendments. And the Democratic day in space. And these monkeys are little or no nutritional quality.—Sharon leader also agrees to the unanimous brought out of space in 14 days. In the Vanderlip, D.V.M. former Chief of Veterinary consent that upon the completion of 2-week Bion missions the animals are Service, NASA/Ames Research Center. the vote on the Feingold-Smith mo- The question is: [W]ill this project substan- being monitored by remote electronic tially contribute to [astronauts’] health in tion, that we move to the debate on the instruments. future space missions? . . . My answer is space station as proposed by Senator The February 1996 Bion science as- that it will not. The rationale for this BUMPERS. sessment report said a major weakness project, as set forth in the protocols I re- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I, there- of the overall project is the limited viewed, is completely insufficient to justify fore, propound a unanimous-consent re- data collection capability. Many of the continuation of this work.—Robert Hoffman, quest that when Senator SMITH makes experiments planned for Bion 11 are M.D., Board-Certified Neurologist, Stanford his tabling motion, that that will be weakened by the lack of a digital data University. set aside with a vote to occur on that [H]uman data would be more valid and storage. There are any number of peo- cost-effective than animal data. Many of the amendment at 2:15, that when he com- ple who would indicate that this re- surgical procedures are minor for humans pletes the propounding of that motion, search is bad. (anesthesia being necessary in animals for then Senator MCCAIN be recognized to The second reason is even less of restraint.) A cooperative human subject offer his amendment or amendments, value, the bulk of research that would September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9795 deal with muscle loss and bone deterio- pended for the repair of marinas or golf has agreed to fund the building of a ration. Our astronauts are placed on courses except for debris removal: Provided new bridge, but has yet to produce the rigorous exercise regimes, as the Sen- further, That no money appropriated for the needed dollars. ator from Ohio knows, while the ani- Federal Emergency Management Agency Mr. President, I am not asking that may be expended for tree or shrub replace- Arizona be treated differently than any mals are strapped in and remain immo- ment except in public parks: Provided further, bile. That any funds used for repair of any rec- other State or that a problem in my It is my understanding, Mr. Presi- reational facilities shall be limited to debris State be given any preferential treat- dent, that all of the members on the removal and the repair of recreational build- ment. But I highlight this issue be- assessment panel that the proponents ings only.’’ cause allowing children to go to school have all cited—they have all been cited Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, my un- is more important than the repair of a here—admitted that the fact that the derstanding is that this amendment is scoreboard or the fixing of a golf animals are restrained is a major flaw. accepted by both sides of the aisle. course. Let me just end on this point, Mr. That is my understanding. I would be Mr. President, the Disaster Relief President. glad to have a rollcall vote, but I be- Act of 1970, specifically excluded States I don’t know where the votes are lieve it will be accepted. and local facilities ‘‘used exclusively going to fall on this. But, look, this is Mr. President, this amendment would for recreations purposes’’ from receiv- $15.5 million spent on a program that is restrict the Federal Emergency Man- ing Federal funds. In subsequent disas- supposed to look at the weightlessness agement Agency [FEMA] from spend- ter relief legislation, Public Law 93–288, of monkeys in space when, in fact, we ing funds on certain low priority items. the authorizing committee chairman have had humans in space for almost 40 Specifically, the amendment would stated ‘‘such funds should not be spent years, and inflicting unbearable pain prohibit FEMA from expending funds on golf courses, football or baseball on these animals. To do that kind of for the repair of marinas or golf fields, tennis courts, parks or picnic thing for no reason, I think there is no courses except for debris removal, for areas * * *.’’ Yet the law does not spe- validity to it. I think it says a lot tree or shrub replacement except in cifically prohibit such expenditures. about a society, a lot about the people public parks, and limits what can be The inspector general’s report states: in the Senate, frankly, who have the repaired at recreational facilities. [A] community hit by a disaster needs to courage to stand up and say, you know, This amendment is based on rec- have its hospitals, schools, and police depart- the Citizens Against Government ment functioning as soon as possible; it does ommendations made by the inspector not need to have its golf course repaired, or Waste are correct that this is a waste general at FEMA. The inspector gen- not at federal expense. However, as the Pub- of taxpayers’ money. They are going to eral’s report concludes, lic Assistance program currently operates, a rip this vote, and they should. It is a . . . that while grant funding appeared to golf course is just as eligible to receive grant waste of taxpayers’ money, and wheth- be within the legal parameters of the pro- funding as a hospital, a marina is just as de- er you are an animal rights advocate or gram, policymakers may want to consider serving as a school, and an equestrian trail is you want to save taxpayers’ dollars, it whether program eligibility should continue just as worthy as a police department. doesn’t matter. to include repairing such nonessential facili- Mr. President, I hope that the people I don’t really particularly care which ties as golf resorts, marinas for large boats, at FEMA will be able to prioritize a lit- side you are on. I just need your vote. tennis courts, archery ranges, and equestrian tle better than they have. Unfortu- trails, all of which serve a relatively small nately, now we have to take legislative That is the point. The point is that it segment of the population. wastes Government money. If you want action. We must prioritize where Fed- to stop wasting Government money, This amendment gives us that oppor- eral dollars are spent and golf courses, you ought to vote to table the commit- tunity. horse trails, and luxury boat marinas tee amendment, and if you believe that According the IG’s report, based on simply are not high priorities. you should not do duplicative research their inspection sample alone, had this Mr. President, since its creation, on animals—not eliminate all re- amendment had been in effect, about FEMA has been the Federal Govern- search—then you ought to vote for the $171 million could have been saved. ment’s disaster response agency. In re- amendment. That $171 million could have used to cent years, we have come to depend So I think that really says all that assist others more in need. more and more upon FEMA. And al- needs to be said. Some will argue that adoption of this though FEMA has been criticized at Mr. President, at this time, I move to amendment would place greater bur- times for acting too slowly, it has done table the committee amendment and dens on State and city governments. an admirable job. From the hurricane ask for the yeas and nays. While that is partly true, it ignores the disasters on the east coast, to the Cali- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a fact that the Federal Government does fornia earthquake, to the flooding sufficient second? not have an automatic obligation to re- along the Mississippi River, FEMA has There is a sufficient second. pair city and State facilities. For ex- reacted to help those most in need. The yeas and nays were ordered. ample, FEMA spent $5,687,002 to repair FEMA deserves praise for all its good The PRESIDING OFFICER. The yeas the Anaheim Stadium scoreboard. work. But it also appears that a change and nays having been ordered, the While I am sure that the good people in the law that dictates how it spends question will be before the body at 2:15 of Anaheim appreciate this Federal lar- tax dollars is clearly in order. this afternoon, consistent with a pre- gess—and will undoubtedly enjoy I recall being here on the Senate vious order. watching their sporting events with a floor when the junior Senator from Under the previous order, the Sen- working scoreboard—such repair is not California made an impassioned plea to ator from Arizona is recognized. a Federal responsibility. pass the California earthquake emer- The Anaheim Stadium is an entity AMENDMENT NO. 5176 gency appropriations bill. She showed that charges admission. I would as- the Senate pictures of the disaster and (Purpose: To control the growth of Federal disaster costs) sume it strives to make a profit. Yet I some of the unfortunate individuals af- have heard of no one offering to pay fected by it. Those pictures were stir- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I send an back the Federal Government for its amendment to the desk and ask for its ring, and the Senate quickly passed the investment. And I’m not sure that immediate consideration. bill. Well, I would like to share some many would believe that scoreboard re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pictures that tell a less compelling pair is something that would fall under clerk will report. story. the responsibilities of FEMA. This first picture is of the city of In- The assistant legislative clerk read Mr. President, there are needs in my dian Wells, CA, golf course—which is as follows: State of Arizona that FEMA has prom- known as a vacation resort facility. In- The Senator from Arizona [Mr. MCCAIN] ised to address but has yet to fund. And dian Wells has a population of about proposes an amendment numbered 5176. On page 75, line 10, after the word ‘‘ex- this is only one of many examples from 2,600 people and one of the highest pended’’ insert the following: ‘‘Provided, That around the country. In Kearny, AZ, household incomes in the country: Ap- no money appropriated for the Federal flooding washed out a bridge that al- proximately $100,000, which is almost Emergency Management Agency may be ex- lowed students to go to school. FEMA triple the national average of $32,000. S9796 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 The city has four private golf courses. Just to quote from a couple of find- where there are low-income people and This course, which is open to the pub- ings on page 10, it says: low-income boaters and not the mini- lic, charges a staggering $120 per per- Based on our sample, we found that FEMA mum of 30-foot vessels, then I would be son—including cart—for a round of has paid millions of dollars for tree replace- more than happy to work with the Sen- golf. And because of the cost to golf at ment in golf courses, parks, and other rec- ator from Maryland to clarify the in- Indian Wells, the course runs a surplus reational areas. Crandon Park in Key Bis- tent of this language. cayne, Florida, received almost $3.5 million of about $1 million a year. for tree replacement as a result of Hurricane Ms. MIKULSKI. I appreciate the Sen- Yet, Mr. President, when in 1993 the Andrew. Approximately $1.7 million, or al- ator’s courtesy. golf course sustained flood damage, most half of this amount, was to replace If I might comment, first I want to FEMA gave the city of Indian Wells trees in areas that were not used for rec- reiterate my support for the IG report $871,977 to repair cart paths, sprinkler reational purposes. More than $1.6 million of and for the general thrust of the Sen- systems, and erosion. Mr. President, the $1.7 million was to replace trees in a 3.5 ator’s amendment. I thank him for the the general public does not—or cannot mile stretch of a median strip and swale courtesy of acknowledging the cost and afford—to use a golf course in a resort areas (side of the road) through the park the very nature of the geography of the that were damaged in the disaster and vacation community that charges $120 $100,000 was to replace trees in parking lots. State of Maryland with its 2,300 miles per person. And spending the general of shoreline. When it says ‘‘small im- Ms. MUKULSKI. Will the Senator public’s money to restore this exclu- pact,’’ that might be true with all of yield for a question? sive golf course is just wrong. the continent, but Maryland is unique. Mr. MCCAIN. I am glad to yield. The next picture is that of the Links I know the Senator from Missouri Ms. MIKULSKI. For purposes of clar- at Key Biscayne. This course received wishes to accept the amendment. I ification, this Senator knows full well $300,000 for tree replacement. wish to cooperate. I wonder if our staff that the Senator from Arizona is a The famous Vizcaya Mansion Mu- can see what we can do to ensure that graduate from the Naval Academy, and seum and Gardens in Dade County, FL, the issue of marinas—that we get rid of knows essentially the issues around received over $70,000 for uninsured tree waste, but yet I want to protect the the Chesapeake Bay. I am very sympa- and shrub damage. The IG report notes, small business guys that are named thetic to the Senator’s desire to imple- Buck and Harry. The Senator knows ... [that] since the county charges an ad- ment the report of the IG. I have an- mission fee to tour the museum and gardens, what I am talking about. other flashing light about the marina policymakers should determine whether the So if I could have the concurrence, I Federal Government should be responsible issue. look forward to working with the Sen- Let me ask a few questions because for restoring the opulent gardens of a tourist ator. Again, I thank him for his cour- the Senator knows from his time on attraction. tesy. the bay that we have 2,300 miles of The next picture is of the Dinner Key Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I would Marina in Miami, FL. This marina only shoreline with many marinas, and they like to thank the Senator from Mary- allows boats to use its slips if such are the small businesses, kind of gen- land. She raises a very valid point. boats are 30 feet or more. Slip fees eral stores along the water. Some are There are mom-and-pop operations at range from $230 to $850 per month, the higher income persons, as the Senator marinas. I would be happy to try to equivalent of the monthly housing rent said. But a lot of them are owned by work with her in discriminating be- for most Americans. people named Buck, and this is what tween those kind of facilities that are Mr. President, I had my staff call keeps them going. only available to a few. I think we can My question is about the con- some local boat stores there. They work that out. were informed that the cost of a 30-foot sequences of the Senator’s amendment. I ask unanimous consent to modify basic yacht starts at about $90,000. Not Is the prohibition limited only to pub- my amendment. many middle and lower income individ- licly owned marinas, or does it include The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there uals that I know of can afford a $90,000 private sector marinas as well? objection? yacht. Clearly, this facility is used Mr. MCCAIN. I believe, according to Ms. MIKULSKI. We can’t agree to a only by the wealthiest of individuals, the inspector general’s report, that it modification until we know what the and not by the general public. would exclude marinas from receiving modification is. Simply said, FEMA should not be any Federal funds—this is their re- Mr. MCCAIN. I ask unanimous con- spending its money on these projects. port—except for debris removal. sent that my amendment be set aside Mr. President, FEMA did not have to Marinas in our inspection sample incurred until such time as we reach agreement spend money on these golf courses and over $22.3 million in disaster damage, not in- for modification, and then we will marinas, but the Agency chose to. And cluding debris removal costs. Most of these marinas are for recreational boaters and bring it up at that time. the money was, indeed, spent. We can’t serve a small segment of the public. Some of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there afford to continue this practice. the marinas . . . generated enough revenue objection? Without objection, it is so I recognize that natural disasters do to cover their operating expenses prior to ordered. not discriminate. They affect the poor the disaster, and a few of them produced ex- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, could I and the rich. The Federal Govern- cess revenue which was transferred to the also ask my friend from Missouri—as ment’s dollars are limited, and we can- local government’s operating general fund he knows, I have two other amend- not afford to spend them equally on the accounts. Most of the damage to the marinas ments. One, I believe, is in discussion poor and the wealthy. We must was to piers and docks rather than buildings, stage with his staff, and the other, I be- which were insured. The impact would be prioritize how we spend the taxpayers’ mitigated by purchasing insurance, which lieve, is acceptable to him. Would he money. We only have a finite amount some of the marinas have already done for like me to discuss either one or both of of money to spend. And as long as nat- their buildings. those amendments at this time or wait ural disasters continue to occur—and Within our inspection sample we found until a later time? indeed they will—we cannot afford to that eliminating marinas would have re- Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I would continue to fund these kinds of repairs. sulted in Federal savings of at least $17 mil- like to confer with my ranking member There are many examples of waste lion. to determine whether one of those and abuse of FEMA funds in this man- In commenting on a draft report of the as- might be accepted now. I do have a sociated direct response recovery directive, ner, in the manner I have elaborated it was difficult to justify excluding marinas couple of minutes. I would like to com- here, and this amendment would stop while allowing other types of like facilities ment on this FEMA amendment be- that waste. I hope that it will be adopt- which are also designed for recreation, such cause this is a very important and very ed. as swimming pools . . . tennis courts . . . be- complicated issue. Mr. President, the inspector general cause of the cost, marinas generally cater to Ms. MIKULSKI. Is that the concern made a report in May of 1996 entitled a small segment of the population. the Senator has about the population ‘‘Intended Consequences—the High So in answer to the question, if there changes and so on? We have discussed Cost of Disaster Assistance for Park is a way to shape this legislation in ei- this. I believe the Senator in his stead- and Recreational Facilities.’’ I think it ther the report or in amendment lan- fast way has represented that he would is a very worthwhile document. guage so that we could make sure that like to offer an amendment on another September 4, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9797 issue, and I think we could take it. care in such facilities regardless of the re- pact of disparate funding has been very Does the Senator from Missouri desire gion of the United States in which such vet- obvious to me during my visits to to acquiesce in that? erans reside. many VA Medical Centers throughout (2) The plan shall— Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I think we (1) reflect, to the maximum extent pos- the country, and particularly in Ari- can take that amendment. I have some sible, the Veterans Integrated Service Net- zona, and was confirmed by a formal further comments on that to accommo- work and the Resource Planning and Man- survey of the Carl T. Hayden VA Medi- date my colleague. I will save those agement System developed by the Depart- cal Center in Phoenix, which was con- comments. ment to account for forecasts in expected ducted by the Veterans of Foreign Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I would workload and to ensure fairness to facilities Wars [VFW] in April 1994. be glad to put my statement in the that provide cost-efficient health care; and The problem has been further verified (2) include— RECORD because, as the distinguished (A) procedures to identify reasons for vari- by the General Accounting Office managers of the bill know, this issue ations in operating costs among similar fa- [GAO] in a report entitled ‘‘Veterans has been ventilated on numerous occa- cilities; and Health Care: Facilities’ Resource Allo- sions. I point out that for 3 years this (B) ways to improve the allocation of re- cations Could be More Equitable.’’ The amendment has been accepted and then sources so as to promote efficient use of re- GAO found that the Department of dropped in conference. So I feel com- sources and provision of quality health care. Veterans Affairs continues to allocate pelled here in the fourth year to ask (3) The Secretary shall prepare the plan in funding based on past budgets rather for a recorded vote to make sure that consultation with the Under Secretary of Health of the Department of Veterans Af- than current needs, and has failed to the Senate is completely on record on fairs. implement the resource planning and this issue, in all due respect to my two (b) PLAN ELEMENTS.—The plan under sub- management system [RPM] developed 2 dear friends and colleagues. But 3 years section (a) shall set forth— years ago to help remedy funding in- in a row is enough. I would be glad to (1) milestones for achieving the goal re- equity. submit my statement for the RECORD. ferred to in paragraph (1) of that subsection; Mr. President, the GAO cities VA On that amendment, I will be asking and data that the workload of some facili- for a recorded vote at the appropriate (2) a means of evaluating the success of the Secretary in meeting the goal. ties increased by as much as 15 percent time. (c) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—The Sec- between 1993 and 1995, while the work- Mr. BOND addressed the Chair. retary shall submit to Congress the plan de- load of others declined by as much as 8 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- veloped under subsection (a) not later than percent. However, in the two budget ator from Missouri is recognized. 180 days after the date of the enactment of cycles studied, the VA made only mini- Mr. BOND. We have a unanimous- this Act. mal changes in funding allocations. consent agreement to proceed to the (d) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall implement the plan developed under sub- The maximum loss to a facility was 1 space station amendment at 2:30. That percent of its past budget and the aver- will require a vote. I ask unanimous section (a) not later than 60 days after sub- mitting the plan to Congress under sub- age gain was also about 1 percent. consent that a vote on Senator section (c), unless within that time the Sec- This inadequate response to demo- MCCAIN’s amendment relating to the retary notifies Congress that the plan will graphic change over the past decade is VA resource allocation be placed im- not be implemented in that time and in- very disturbing, and, I believe, wrong. mediately after the vote on the space cludes with the notification an explanation To illustrate the problem, I would station amendment. why the plan will not be implemented in point out that the Carl T. Hayden VA that time. I ask unanimous consent that no sec- Medical Center experienced the third ond-degree amendments be in order on The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there highest workload growth based on 17 the McCain amendment on VA resource objection to the request? Without ob- hospitals of similar size and mission, allocation and that that vote be 10 jection, it is so ordered. yet was only funded at less than half minutes in length. Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, this is the RPM process. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there the third year in a row that Senator Mr. President, the GAO informs me objection? GRAHAM of Florida and I have spon- that rather than implementing the AMENDMENT NO. 5177 sored legislation to better allocate RPM process to remedy funding inequi- (Purpose: To require a plan for the allocation health care funding among the Veter- ties in access to veterans health care, of Department of Veterans Affairs health ans Department’s health care facilities. the VA has resorted to rationing care resources) Despite the fact that this amendment health care or eliminating health care Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, reserv- would enable veterans to receive equal to certain veterans in areas of high de- ing the right object, I do not intend to access to quality health care, no mat- mand. object, but I think it would be nec- ter where they live or what cir- The GAO says: cumstances they face, this piece of leg- essary for me at this time to send the Because of differences in facility rationing amendment to the desk. I ask indul- islation has never been made law. practices, veterans’ access to care system gence of my colleagues to do so. Mr. President, in March 1994, I origi- wide is uneven. We found that higher income The PRESIDING OFFICER. The nally brought to Secretary Jesse veterans received care at many facilities, clerk will report the amendment. Brown’s attention the inequity in vet- while lower income veterans were turned The legislative clerk read as follows: erans access to health care. Despite away at other facilities. Differences in who was served occurred even within the same fa- The Senator from Arizona [Mr. MCCAIN], their knowledge of the problems in the cility because of rationing. for himself and Mr. GRAHAM, proposes an system that is currently being used, amendment numbered 5177. the Department of Veterans Affairs is The GAO also indicates that there is Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask still using an archaic and unresponsive confusion among the Department’s unanimous consent that reading of the formula to allocate health care re- staff regarding the reasons for funding amendment be dispensed with. sources. This system must be updated variations among the VA facilities and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to account for population shifts. That the purpose of the RPM system. objection, it is so ordered. is why Senator GRAHAM and I are con- Mr. President, this problem must be The amendment is as follows: tinuing our efforts, for the third year addressed now. This amendment com- On page 104, below line 24, add the follow- in a row, to change the way health care pels the VA to take expeditious action ing: is allocated among veterans health to remedy this serious problem and SEC. 421. (a) PLAN.—(1) The Secretary of funding by eliminating funding dispari- adequately address the changes in de- Veterans Affairs shall develop a plan for the ties among VA health care facilities mand at VA facilities. allocation of health care resources (includ- across the country. To conclude, I want to reiterate that ing personnel and funds) of the Department The veterans population in three I find it simply unconscionable that of Veterans Affairs among the health care fa- States, including Arizona, is growing the VA could place the Carl T. Hayden cilities of the Department so as to ensure that veterans who have similar economic at the same time that it is declining in VA Medical Center at the bottom of status, eligibility priority, or medical condi- other parts of the country. Unfortu- the funding ladder, when the three VA tions and who are eligible for medical care in nately, health care allocations have medical facilities in the State of Ari- such facilities have similar access to such not kept up with the changes. The im- zona must care for a growing number S9798 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 4, 1996 of veterans, and are inundated every the lowest employee level in their group Let me make it clear, because this year by winter visitors, which places when comparing facility work loads, and area is very complicated, that the dis- an additional burden on the facilities. 158th overall. To reach the average produc- aster relief that we are talking about is I ask unanimous consent that the tivity level of the Veterans Health Adminis- available only to publicly owned facili- tration medical centers, they would need an VFW survey be printed in the RECORD additional 348 full-time employees. While it ties. If they are privately owned, there following my remarks. is realized that this station will never be per- are SBA loans that are available. But The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without mitted to enjoy that level of staffing, it is the FEMA disaster assistance goes gen- objection, it is so ordered. felt that they, at the least, should have been erally with the cost share 25 percent (See exhibit 2.) given some consideration for their staffing local or State cost share with the Fed- Mr. MCCAIN. I also want to finish my problems during the latest White House or- eral Government providing the other 75 time by emphasizing to this Senate dered employee reductions. percent. that the problems that exist at the VA To assist the medical center to meet their mandatory work load, and the great influx of We talked about marinas and golf have occurred for years, and that it is winter residents, it is recommended that the courses, but we could talk about eques- about time that we change the system $11.4 million which was reported to the Ari- trian trails, archery ranges, and other to give our veterans the better care zona congressional delegation to have been facilities benefiting a very small seg- they deserve. given Phoenix in addition to their FY 94 ment of the population where they re- EXHIBIT 2 budget be provided. To enable the station to ceive millions of dollars for tree and handle the ever increasing ambulatory work VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS shrub replacement. I believe very load, the Veterans Health Administration OF THE UNITED STATES, strongly in trees and shrubs; I plant a must approve the pending request for leased Washington, DC, April 7, 1994. lot of them myself, but I seriously In Reply Refer to: 94–24. clinic space in northwest Phoenix and, the implementation plan for the use of the Wil- question whether that is an essential JOHN T. FARRAR, M.D., use of our scarce taxpayer dollars. Acting Under Secretary for Health (10), Veter- liams Air Force Base hospital as a satellite ans Health Administration, Department of outpatient clinic, along with the necessary There is erosion repair, sprinkler sys- Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC. funding to adequately operate the facility. In tems, and the like. In examples of the addition, VHA should approve and fund, at a DEAR DR. FARRAR: A member of my staff, facilities the IG looked at which re- Robert F. O’Toole. Senior Field Representa- minimum, the expansion of the medical cen- ceived Federal funds between 1989 and tive, conducted a survey of the Phoenix, Ari- ters clinical space onto the Indian School 1995 totaling $286 million, the Federal zona, Department of Veterans Affairs Medi- land which was acquired for that purpose. Approval of the above recommendations cost share was between 75 percent and cal Center, on March 14–15, 1994. During his would make it much easier for this medical 100 percent. time at the medical center, he was able to center to meet the needs of the ever increas- talk with many patients, family members While I strongly support the inten- ing veteran population in the Phoenix area. and staff. This enabled him to gather infor- tions of the Senator from Arizona, I am There is no indication that the increasing mation concerning the quality of care being delighted that we are going to have an population trends will change prior to the provided and the most pressing problems fac- opportunity to work with him and year 2020. This hospital cannot be allowed to ing the facility. continue the downhill slide. The veterans of other colleagues because we have asked While those receiving treatment in the of the FEMA Director, and he has clinics and wards felt that the quality was Arizona deserve a fair deal and the medical staff should be given the opportunity to pro- promised, to report back to Congress good, they almost all commented on the long by October 1 a comprehensive plan to waits in the clinics and the understaffing vide top quality health care in a much less throughout the medical center. In discussing stressful setting. reduce the amounts spent and to im- I would appreciate receiving your com- their problem with various staff members, it prove controls on disaster relief ex- ments on the Phoenix VA Medical Center at was noted that nurses were under extreme penditures. He has promised to respond your earliest opportunity. stress. More than one was observed by Mr. to the series of IG and GAO reports Sincerely, O’Toole in tears when completing their tour. FREDERICO JUARBE, Jr., that I have requested. These reports do The nursing staff on evening shifts must Director, detail a number of what I would con- rush continually through their duties in an National Veterans Service. sider very questionable expenditures. attempt to cover all their patients needs due There is a much larger issue, and we to the shortage in staffing in both support Mr. BOND. Mr. President, under the and technical personnel. previous order, we were supposed to ad- must pursue it comprehensively, not In attempting to determine the reason for journ at 12:30. I ask unanimous consent only in the position I serve on this sub- this problem, it became apparent that the that I may be permitted an additional committee but I formerly cochaired a station was grossly underfunded. Which 5 minutes to comment on the MCCAIN task force on disaster relief with the means that the staff must either take un- amendment. Senator from Ohio, Senator GLENN, and wanted shortcuts or continue to work be- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without we have in that task force expressed yond the point expected of staffs at the other our grave concerns about the escalat- medical centers. While it is well understood objection, it is so ordered. ing costs of FEMA disaster relief. that the Veterans Health Administration is AMENDMENT NO. 5176 underfunded throughout the system, it is Mr. BOND. I want to address the Last year, some of my colleagues clear from the comparisons that this facility FEMA amendment because the Senator may remember, in this subcommittee has not received a fair distribution of the from Arizona has raised some excellent we had to cut $7 billion in other agency available resources resulting in the deplor- points, and I believe they are very im- programs, primarily housing, housing able situation now facing the health care portant points this body ought to ad- programs, in order to pay for the team. Northridge earthquake, and in tight Another problem in Phoenix that must be dress. addressed is the serious space deficiency, es- In fact, the Senator’s amendment fiscal times we have to be far more pru- pecially in the clinical areas. The ambula- stems from one of a series of reports I dent in the kinds of relief we provide tory care area was designed to handle 60,000 requested of the inspector general last for public facilities where they are es- annual visits. In fiscal year 1993, the station year in an effort to reduce Federal dis- sentially profitmaking though publicly provided 218,000 annual visits, almost four aster relief costs and improve FEMA owned facilities. times the design level. Many physicians are operations. The IG has found a weak fi- I can assure my colleague from Ari- required to conduct exams and provide treat- nancial management system at FEMA zona that I intend to hold FEMA’s feet ment from temporary cubicles set up inside to the fire in their commitment to sub- the waiting rooms. This bandaid approach as well as a number of questionable has added to the already overcrowding. practices in terms of disaster expendi- mit a plan by October 1. It is essential The other problem that we feel should be tures. The most recent IG report found not only that we but the authorizing pointed out is that of the staffing ceiling as- some very startling and troubling ex- committees address this issue. signed to the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Medi- amples of what could be characterized I look forward to working with my cal Center. Currently, the medical center has as an abuse of taxpayer funds. colleague from Arizona and others, par- a FTEE of 1530 which is over the target staff- We have already seen the pictures of ticularly my colleague from Maryland, ing level. Based on available reports, the who are very much concerned about medical center would need an additional 61 a golf course where fees as high as $120 registered nurses just to reach the average per person were charged yet has re- this issue. Resource Program Management (RPM) with- ceived $872,000 in public assistance If there are no further Senators wish- in their group. This facility operates with grants following flood damage. ing to speak, I yield back my time.