E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 105 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 143 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1997 No. 96 Senate The Senate met at 9:15 a.m., and was will require rollcall votes and also a side to make political hay, I want to called to order by the President pro number of filed amendments which are briefly discuss why these hearings are tempore [Mr. THURMOND]. expected to be debated throughout the crucial for all Americans of whatever day. As previously announced, Sen- party or ideology. PRAYER ators can expect a series of rollcall Through the hard work and bipar- The Chaplain, Dr. Lloyd John votes on amendments to the bill later tisan effort of the Governmental Af- Ogilvie, offered the following prayer: in the day as we make progress on this fairs Committee, there has been evi- Generous Father, help us to be more important legislation. dence uncovered and indications of gracious receivers. We talk a lot about As always, Members will be notified much more evidence to come that our giving but often find it difficult to give accordingly when votes on amend- American political system was put up to others what they need because we ments are ordered. As a reminder to all for sale and that an alarming number of foreign interests were ready and have been stingy receivers of Your Senators, last night a cloture motion willing to buy. While there have been grace and goodness. We cannot give was filed on S. 936. Therefore, all first- indications of a wide array of illegal what we do not have. Remind us that degree amendments must be filed by 1 activities in connection with the 1996 to love You is to allow You to love us o’clock today. As previously stated, it Presidential election, much of which profoundly. Then we will be able to is the intention of the majority leader the public is aware, Senator THOMPSON love others unselfishly. The same is to complete action on this bill by the end of the week. Senators should be yesterday indicated that there may be true for the gifts we need from You for much the American people do not yet prepared for busy sessions this week. our leadership. We need Your super- know. natural gift of discernment. Help us be I thank all Members for their atten- The chairman stated yesterday that willing to receive Your divine intel- tion. his committee has evidence that points ligence rather than obdurately insist- f to a concerted effort by the Chinese ing on making it on our own limited RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME Government to improperly or illegally resources. Invade our thinking with in- influence American foreign policy to- sight and inspiration we could not The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ward that country and toward . produce on our own. You wait to bless INHOFE). Under a previous order, the Mr. President, if this is, indeed, the us. We receive not because we do not leadership time is reserved. case, then in my view the American ask. All through this day, make us f people must know the truth. They have aware of our great need for You and MORNING BUSINESS a right to know whether the U.S. Gov- the great things You want to do ernment and U.S. officials who were through us. In the name of our Lord The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under a charged with the duty of serving the and Saviour. Amen. previous order, there will now be a pe- interests of the American people in- riod for the transaction of morning f stead served their own special interests business, not to extend beyond 11 a.m. and the interests of others. RECOGNITION OF THE ACTING with Senators being permitted to speak The U.S. Senate is attempting to find MAJORITY LEADER up to 5 minutes. the truth through this investigation The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The f and I am hopeful and confident that it able acting majority leader, the distin- INVESTIGATION BY GOVERN- will do so. guished Senator from Texas, is recog- Central to the investigation at this MENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE nized. point is a name now well-known to the f Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I American people, John Huang. Mr. rise today to discuss the solemn impor- Huang has been a highly paid executive SCHEDULE tance of the investigative hearings of a major foreign bank. He was ap- Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, on that have just begun by the Senate pointed to be a high-level trade official behalf of the leader, I wish to make the Governmental Affairs Committee at the Commerce Department with ac- following announcement. Today the under the leadership of the distin- cess to an array of classified docu- Senate will be in a period of morning guished chairman, Senator THOMPSON, ments. And finally, he was for a time a business until the hour of 11 a.m. At 11 and the distinguished ranking member, key fundraiser for the Democratic Na- a.m. the Senate will resume consider- Senator GLENN. tional Committee. While alone each of ation of S. 936, the Senate defense au- While it is unfortunate that some in these positions is laudable, in part thorization bill. Currently, there are a Congress have attempted to portray what this investigation seeks to deter- number of amendments pending which this investigation as an effort by one mine is whether or not Mr. Huang

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

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VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:02 Oct 24, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\1997SENATE\S09JY7.REC S09JY7 mmaher on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with SOCIALSECURITY S7036 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 9, 1997 served in all of these capacities at the election process. That is a sacred right money laundering to occur, or actively same time, which would be a crime. and a sacred responsibility that the engaged in the unlawful solicitation of Although it is becoming increasingly American people have, to democrat- campaign donations in Federal build- apparent that Mr. Huang did not act ically elect our President, our Con- ings. Worst of all, the committee must alone in his efforts to serve as an inter- gress, and our other State and local determine the true nature and extent national influence broker, it is never- leaders. Anything that impinges on of what appears to be a calculated at- theless interesting to discover that of that right is not warranted, and I hope tempt by the Chinese Government to the $3.4 million in donations to the we will be able to take action soon to buy influence in the last election. Democratic Party that Mr. Huang prevent this type of conduct from ever Senator THOMPSON’s committee has raised, the Democratic Party has re- happening again. uncovered evidence of a detailed plan turned almost half of that money, $1.6 In addition to the issue of foreign in- by China to illegally increase their in- million, to the donors because the con- fluence in our election process, I am fluence over the United States legal tributions were probably made ille- hopeful that the Governmental Affairs process. They found that China has in- gally. hearings, which I think are being con- vested substantial sums of money in Now Mr. Huang has asked the Senate ducted in a very fair and bipartisan this effort and that the White House for immunity from future prosecution way, will also tell us what other things was made aware of the plan prior to if he testifies before the Governmental we should do to make sure that our the election but did nothing to prevent Affairs Committee. Whether Mr. Huang campaign laws protect the integrity of it from succeeding. Disturbingly, the is ultimately granted immunity or not, our election system. Chinese plan continues today. The his conduct and that of dozens of oth- Mr. President, I want to thank the committee must now determine who ers who have been subpoenaed must be distinguished chairman of the Repub- knew or should have known about this uncovered. This will inevitably involve lican conference, Senator MACK, for plan and how it came to be imple- a give-and-take process between the asking us to come forward and talk mented. majority and the minority on the com- today about the importance of this in- I commend Senator THOMPSON and mittee. That is to be expected, given vestigation and the importance of the his team for uncovering this shocking the sensitive nature of this inquiry. integrity of our American election sys- infiltration of our electoral system by But simply because the investigation tem. another government. Judging by the touches on sensitive issues does not I yield the floor to the Senator from level of complaining by Democrats, he mean that it should not move forward. Florida. must be close to the truth. When you In fact, the history of our country has The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- get right down to it, these hearings are been one of constant vigilance against ator from Florida. about the lack of shame in this admin- the kind of secret manipulation of Mr. MACK. Mr. President, I want to istration. No one in this administra- power that is at the center of this in- thank the Senator from Texas for her tion is ashamed of the fact that they vestigation. Only by fully exposing comments this morning and for her in- may have broken the laws to win the wrongdoing can we be satisfied that all volvement in expressing the impor- election. No one in this administration that can be done is being done to tell tance of the actions on the part of the seems to be ashamed of the fact that those who would seek to thwart our Governmental Affairs Committee. I the President and Vice President re- system that America’s foreign and do- also want to express my support for the portedly leaned on donors from the mestic policy is not for sale. committee itself and the inquiry that comfort of the White House. That is il- Mr. President, in addition to the crit- began some 6 months ago. As elected legal. And no one in this administra- ical need to expose the illegal activi- officials, it is our duty not only to tion seems to be ashamed of the fact ties of those in positions of authority change the laws when necessary but to that overnight stays in the Lincoln in our Government, let me also say abide by them. The hearings that bedroom were for sale to the highest that we in Congress should act to ad- began in the Governmental Affairs bidder. The White House should not be dress the related issue of campaign fi- Committee yesterday are an inquiry for sale. No one in this administration nance reform. Let me be clear: the into just how well the Clinton adminis- seems to be ashamed of the fact that Governmental Affairs Committee and tration abided by the law during the poor religious people were preyed upon this Senate have the duty and obliga- last election cycle. The Democrat for illegal donations. They should be tion to immediately and fully inves- Party and the White House would like beyond such political manipulation. No tigate allegations of criminal wrong- the American public to think that they one in this administration seems to be doing with regard to the most recent did nothing different than anyone else, ashamed of the fact that fundraising Federal election. But once the criminal and that everybody does it and there- safeguards were jettisoned so that ille- investigation is complete, I am con- fore we must change the law. gal foreign cash came rolling in with fident that the evidence brought out at That just simply is not true. No, not no questions asked. Compliance with these hearings will help shed light on everybody does it. Before we begin con- our country’s election laws is not op- how we might reform our campaign sidering what new laws to pass, we tional. No one in this administration fundraising laws to prevent many of ought to examine who has violated the seems to be ashamed of the fact that a the abuses of the system that this in- ones we have on the books now. In my midlevel political appointee poten- vestigation will also highlight. view, the administration will have no tially compromised our national secu- I have introduced a bill in the Senate standing to debate the issue of cam- rity. that I believe can serve as a vehicle to paign finance reform until they prove He should never have been in a posi- not only achieve consensus on this im- that we can live and that they can live tion to do so. portant and contentious issue, but that within the law as it currently stands. This administration seems incapable will put a stop to the types of excesses It does little good to create new laws if of being ashamed of any of this. Rath- and abuses of our system that have our leaders don’t follow them with er, they continue to rationalize their eroded the integrity and public con- principle, integrity, and some sem- actions in an attempt to deflect the fidence from our Federal political sys- blance of morality. We ought to have negative publicity with hollow calls for tem. leaders who adhere to the spirit of the campaign finance reform. Unlike oth- For example, my bill specifically pro- laws—rather than to push the envelope ers who attempt to tear down our cur- hibits contributions from any foreign of propriety. rent system, I hope Senator THOMPSON entity or any foreign person, including Unfortunately, there are credible al- and the members of the Governmental green card holders who are not citizens legations that the Clinton administra- Affairs Committee are able to restore of this country. I believe that effecting tion exhibited precious little principle, some confidence in our system through this change of current law would be a integrity, or morality in the conduct of these hearings. Calling people to pub- positive result of what we have learned their last campaign. The committee licly account for their wrongdoing is from the 1996 Presidential election. It will be looking into whether the Clin- the first step in that journey. is simply not healthy for our democ- ton administration knowingly accepted Finally, I want to thank Senator racy to have foreign influence in the illegal foreign contributions, allowed THOMPSON for his forbearance. He has

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:02 Oct 24, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\1997SENATE\S09JY7.REC S09JY7 mmaher on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with SOCIALSECURITY July 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7037 shown great tolerance and conducted Lippo Group and Charlie Trie, a Macao- constitutional duty of the oversight himself like a gentleman, at times based campaign fundraiser. Between process; that is, to provide the Amer- when courtesy has been hard to mus- Huang and Trie, nearly $4 million in ican people with a fair, unfiltered, and ter. The administration continues to questionable funds were raised. Over bipartisan view of the 1996 campaign stonewall the committee on producing half of those funds have already been practices. The American public deserve documents; witnesses have claimed determined to be improper contribu- no less. their fifth amendment privilege; tar- tions and have appropriately been re- Mr. President, I suggest the absence gets have fled the country; and a paper turned by the Democratic National of a quorum. trail consisting of millions of pages Committee. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The have been left for the committee to un- This allegation goes to the very clerk will call the roll. ravel. heart of the workings of our Govern- The assistant legislative clerk pro- Today, I express my gratitude to him ment, and questions must be answered. ceeded to call the roll. First would be: What efforts were for taking on this unpleasant job, and Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask used by foreign nationals to influence I wish the committee members pa- unanimous consent that the order for U.S. policy? tience and good judgment in exercising the quorum call be rescinded. Second, to what extent was the U.S. their duties to uncover what has here- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. tofore been covered up. political process infiltrated? Third, ultimately, was the United THOMAS). Without objection, it is so or- I thank the Chair and I yield the dered. floor. States compromised at any particular Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I have Mr. President, I suggest the absence time? been in the chair for the last few min- of a quorum. Additionally, these hearings will utes listening to some of the comments The PRESIDING OFFICER. The focus on the disturbing use of Presi- that have been made. I would like to clerk will call the roll. dent Clinton’s perquisites of the Presi- read one paragraph that I saw in yes- The assistant legislative clerk pro- dency as a fundraising tool. terday’s Wall Street Journal. ceeded to call the roll. Even though Federal law precludes Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I campaign fundraising on Federal prop- I would like to ask everyone, Mr. ask unanimous consent that the order erty, the committee has revealed the President, to listen very carefully, be- for the quorum call be rescinded. following information. cause we are only talking about three During the 5 years that President The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of a long list of things that are being Clinton has resided in the White House, objection, it is so ordered. investigated right now as far as the al- Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I an astonishing 938 guests have spent leged transgression of the President. believe there is a special order pending. the night in the Lincoln bedroom. Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal has This figure is an unprecedented esca- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the editorial of which this is just one lation of past Presidential practices. paragraph: Chair advises the Senator from Alaska Presidential historian Richard Nor- Travelgate, trumped-up Billy Dale pros- that we are now in a period of morning ton Smith stated that there has ‘‘never business. ecution, the secret health-care task force, been anything of the magnitude of the 900 FBI files and bouncer/security chief Mr. MURKOWSKI. I thank the Chair. President Clinton’s use of the White Mr. President, today is the first day Craig Livingstone, alerts to the White House House for fundraising purposes * * * of testimony in the Senate Govern- from high Treasury officials on Resolution it’s the selling of the White House.’’ Trust Corporation investigations, the guy mental Affairs special investigation of On March 15, 1997, the White House who told the congressional committee he the 1996 Federal election campaign counsel, Lanny Davies, stated, ‘‘It’s lied to his diary, the brightest minds in the contributions. There is, of course, but fair to say these additional functions Democratic Party suffering massive memory one purpose to this investigation. That at the White House were for the pur- loss at congressional hearings, the ‘‘lost’’ Rose Law Firm billing records, Webster Hub- purpose is to review campaign financ- pose of encouraging support for the ing practices during the 1996 election bell’s passage of the Justice to jail, Vince President’s campaign, including finan- Foster’s torment, the Lincoln Bedroom to determine whether Federal laws cial support.’’ were violated. rented out, Charlie Trie on the run, John These overnight guests at the Clin- Huang taking the fifth, Jim and Susan I think it is fair to state that Federal ton White House donated at least $6 McDougal convicted, the Buddhist mon- campaign laws in question are rel- million to the Democratic National astery/money laundry, the drug dealers let in atively straightforward. Committee. for the White House photo-ops, the routinely It is illegal under U.S. election law Additionally, President Clinton cavalier treatment of legal and judicial pro- for a noncitizen to contribute to cam- hosted some 103 Presidential coffees. cedures, and independent counsels appointed paigns; Guests at these coffees, which included for three members of the Cabinet, one sitting It is illegal for anyone to contribute American President and, for the first time in a convicted felon and a Chinese busi- history, one First Lady. to a campaign in someone else’s name; nessman who heads an arms-trading And, it is illegal to solicit campaign Everyone does it? We don’t think so. At company, donated some $27 million to least up to now. funds on Federal property. the Democratic National Committee. In this long list of alleged trans- Yesterday, at the opening of these White House officials have denied gressions, the investigation right now hearings, Chairman THOMPSON an- that such events were planned with the is really only dealing with three nounced exceedingly alarming evidence intention of raising specific amounts of things. of violations of these Federal laws. The money. However, President Clinton’s gravest of these violations is an alleged Chief of Staff, Harold Ickes—who will It is interesting for me that every covert plan by the Chinese Government testify before the committee—recently time something comes up concerning to subvert the 1996 United States elec- turned over a large number of docu- campaign contributions that have been tion process. ments that show figures for both ex- taken illegally, the President comes I note, Mr. President, that was head- pected and actual donations from near- out and says we need campaign finance lined in the Washington Post this ly every White House coffee. reform. morning. Here’s a comparison. President Bush I would only comment, as did the The chairman indicated that the plan hosted one Presidential coffee. No Senator from Alaska, Senator MUR- implemented a series of alleged illegal money was raised. And I am told the KOWSKI. How do we know that we need efforts by high members of the Chinese cost was $6.24 cents. reform of campaign contributions until Government to influence United States The accuracy of that I will leave to we live under the laws that we have policy by giving substantial sums of the historians. today? money. The intent had to be clear: To But, finally, Mr. President, on March Currently it is illegal—under our cur- cultivate relations with the White 11, 1997, this body voted unanimously rent law—to accept foreign money House to influence foreign policy. to hold this investigation. from foreigners. It is illegal to launder Two key figures in the committee’s I commend Chairman THOMPSON for money. It is illegal to solicit or accept investigation are John Huang of the his commitment to Congress and to the money on Federal property.

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And then, after he resolving the problems. body traditionally considered to be the becomes President, we know that he Mr. President, I see that there is no long-term evaluator of national secu- now is a leading spokesman in this other Senator seeking time, so I ask rity interests of this Nation, needs to country for accommodation with unanimous consent that I be recog- listen to what he says. I thank him for China. nized as if in morning business on an- those comments. So whatever that is about, the facts other matter. f in this case will have to tell us. But I do think it is clear that we are dealing The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without INVESTIGATION BY GOVERN- objection, it is so ordered. with unusual types of problems with MENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE campaign financing. This may not be f Mr. SESSIONS. I rise at this time, only a technical violation of the law, STORM CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON Mr. President, to make some remarks but it is a situation in which we may Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I am about the hearings going on in the have a foreign power, an adversary, a very honored to be serving as the Governmental Affairs Committee. I Communist nation, with the largest chairman of the Readiness Sub- think they are most important hear- standing army in the world, attempt- committee of the Senate Armed Serv- ings. I think it is important we remem- ing to influence elections. ices Committee. ber that the committee, headed by the We need a bipartisan effort, similar Today at 11 o’clock we will begin excellent and fine Senator from Ten- to those conducted in the past. We need again the discussion on the passage of nessee, Mr. FRED THOMPSON, was com- the spirit of Howard Baker in the Wa- the defense authorization bill. missioned by this body. They were tergate hearings who, as a Republican, As chairman of the Readiness Sub- mandated by this body to go out and made sure that he cooperated in that committee, I have jurisdiction over the discover the facts and to conduct an in- investigation and sought the truth. We readiness of our forces to defend Amer- vestigation of illegal and improper ac- need the spirit of Warren Rudman, Re- ica: Such things as military construc- tivities in connection with the 1996 po- publican, who participated in the tion, such things as military pay, such litical campaigns. So they have a re- Irangate matters that were inves- things as training, and the like. sponsibility and a duty that falls to tigated here. He always sought to get In carrying out my responsibilities, I them at this point whether they want to the truth regardless of politics. I have visited many, many bases it or not, whether they wish they did have not seen that, frankly, by some in throughout the world and here in the not have it, and they have to see it the leadership in the other party on United States. I have had occasion to through and do it in a formal and prop- this committee. It seems to me there be recently in Camp Lejeune Marine er way. I think the committee is at a has been too much partisanship. Corps Base; Fort Hood, TX; Corpus point where it is not dealing with exact Now that those committee hearings Christi Naval Base; and the Dyess Air science, but with a process by which are proceeding, they need to proceed Force Base. that committee needs to go out and professionally and objectively and all My concern is that with all the peo- find the facts, apply those facts to the members need to pull together to find ple we have talked about and talked to law, to decide what actions ought to be out the facts and get the truth out. I did want to talk, Mr. President, in the committee meetings that we taken and to evaluate it that way. It was by a 99-to-nothing vote that about the question of immunity. We have had in the Readiness Sub- this Senate, Democrats and Repub- had the not unusual, if you are familiar committee of the Senate Armed Serv- licans, directed that committee to do with complex prosecutions, situation ices Committee, we keep getting assur- its work. And so we ought to let them yesterday when the committee hear- ances from the administration that we do their work and let them follow the ings commenced that the ranking are in a state of readiness that would evidence where it leads, to let them member from the Democratic Party meet the minimum expectations of the apply that evidence to the law and to announced that Mr. John Huang, who American people, and yet the informa- analyze the results and make rec- had been the main focus in the inves- tion that we get as we go around cer- ommendations for the future. tigation, was prepared to testify if he tainly contradicts that. We have state- A key part of that investigation is were granted immunity. ments made by a number of people who gathering the facts. I served for 12 I think we have to be very careful are in the field. When you get past the years as a U.S. attorney. That was the about that. In fact, at this point, I top brass here in Washington, we find Federal prosecutor for the southern would advise the members to say no to that we have very, very serious prob- district of Alabama. And, as such, I had immunity at this point in the process. lems. the duty for many years—to handle There may come a time when immu- Mr. President, I plan to make several major corruption-type cases involving nity is necessary, but at this point I do statements concerning this as the de- complex white-collar crime, and so I not think it is. That is my experience velopment of and discussion on this bill have had a lot of experience in that after many years of prosecuting. You takes place after 11 o’clock, but I field. use immunity, first and foremost, to would just suggest that we have not I have not been commenting on this get the testimony of the little fish, to found ourselves and put ourselves in a case and the evidence because I think find the people who may know some- state of readiness that meets the min- we ought to let the committee do its thing about the case, and then that imum expectations of the American work. I made one previous statement helps you develop the real facts of the people. The administration has said about this investigation a few weeks case and go on to the higher-ups. many times we are in a position to de- ago addressing my concerns to the I was very concerned a few weeks fend America on two regional fronts, grant of immunity, and I think we ago—and it is the only comment I have and I can assure you that is not the ought to talk about that and a few made about this matter since I have case. In fact, as we watched the Per- other things today. been in the body—when members of the sian Gulf war, I regret to say that we This investigation is dealing with a Democratic Party were refusing to are not in a state of readiness today to serious question, and that question is grant immunity to little fish in this be able to defend America against that whether or not a foreign nation, not case. Now that they are talking about type of aggression. really considered a friendly nation, one of the top ones, they are sug- With that, I will yield the floor. Communist China, may have system- gesting that maybe we ought to grant The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- atically and intentionally set about to immunity to him, but they were ob- ator from Alabama. influence the American election in 1996 jecting to and questioning the wisdom Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I and, in fact, to influence American pol- of granting immunity to what they would first like to say I appreciate the icy. called

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