H1352 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 9, 1997 votes in favor of their bill in a few min- revenues to the Treasury, going all the on on the floor of this House, trying to utes, have as big a stake as anybody way back to President Warren G. Har- cover up what could be potentially a else in seeing this system cleaned up. ding, who, in 1921, under his Treasury national security problem brought on It is time for this Congress to act. We Secretary, Andrew Mellon, cut the top by breaking the campaign finance laws waited in the last Gingrich Congress rate on capital. The flow of revenues to that were reformed by this majority, 11⁄2 years out of that 2 years before we the Treasury increased. by the majority Democrat party back ever even got a chance to vote on the In 1961, when President Kennedy did in the 1970’s, and trying to cover it up issue of campaign finance reform. That it, the same thing happened; and then by talking about campaign finance re- is why we are going to keep raising when Ronald Reagan did it with the form here, and they do not even have this issue day after day, because we Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, we their own bill. cannot wait another 11⁄2 years for ac- saw that increase. Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, will the tion, and at that time it was some con- Unfortunately, when we increase the gentleman yield? voluted position that even the Repub- tax on capital, we decrease the flow of Mr. DELAY. I am delighted to yield licans could not support. It is time for revenues to the Treasury. In 1978, when to the distinguished gentleman from action and action by voting down this the capital gains tax rate was reduced, California. rule. we saw, from 1979 to 1987, a 500-percent Mr. DREIER. I thank my friend. Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield increase in the flow of revenues to the The gentleman makes a very impor- myself such time as I may consume to Treasury from $9 billion to $50 billion, tant point, that being, we are simply say that it is very interesting to listen and it began to drop after the 1986 Tax calling for compliance with the present to this debate as it proceeds on cam- Reform Act went in place. law that exists. And those on the other paign finance reform. We are actually So it seems to me we have a very im- side of the aisle are saying, well, let us offering a rule here that would allow us portant issue that I hope we can ad- change the law, let us reform campaign to consider suspensions today and to- dress here. finances, and that will address this hue morrow to deal with veterans, Amer- Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he and cry that we are hearing out there ican Samoa, assisted suicide, and yet may consume to the gentleman from from the American people; all they the campaign debate here, the debate Texas [Mr. DELAY], my dear friend. want us to do is, the American people has proceeded on the issue of campaign Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the want us to comply with the laws that finance reform. gentleman for yielding me this time. exist today. Since that has happened, I want to And he is so right about the real im- Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming take a moment before I yield to my portant things that we intend to do in my time, I would also say that they friend from Texas, the majority whip, this 105th Congress, rather than play want us to do it before we look at to talk about legislation I mentioned these games that are being played whether laws have actually been bro- during the 1-minute period that I hope around here. ken. And we all know the reason for we will be able to have considered here. It is amazing to me, the lack of that; it is strictly politics, to cover up If we could get the President on board shame that is expressed on this floor, the fact that the national security of on it, it would be very helpful, and, that the minority party, that used to this country may have been com- frankly, it is much more important to be the grand majority party for so promised. the people whom I am honored to rep- many years, particularly since the last f resent here and others from around the major campaign finance reform was country than campaign finance reform. passed back in the late 1970’s, I think ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER It happens to be the single most im- 1976 or so, had the majority of this PRO TEMPORE portant family tax cut that we could House and the majority of the Senate The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. offer, and that is a reduction of the top GUTKNECHT). The Chair would remind rate on capital gains from 28 percent to and yet did not bring any bills down. In all Members the matter before the 14 percent. As of right now, we have 118 fact, if they just passed this bill, they House is House Resolution Number 107. cosponsors. Democrats and Repub- could probably bring their campaign fi- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I licans have joined, cosponsoring this. nance reform to the floor under suspen- I call it the most important family sion. yield myself such time as I may tax cut because it clearly will increase Oh, I forgot; they do not have a cam- consume to just comment on the ma- the take-home wages of working Amer- paign finance reform bill. They are cry- jority whip’s remarks about campaign icans, on average, by $1,500. Unlike ing for campaign finance reform to finance reform and lack of action on many of the family tax cuts, which are come to the floor, but they do not even the Democrat majority’s part when we temporary, some of those that the have a bill. were in charge, and remind him that President has proposed, this capital What is happening here is something we passed it twice out of the House. gains tax rate reduction would be per- that is really serious, because we want The first time, it was passed again manent, creating that boost for work- to hold hearings to look into what is through the Senate, vetoed by a Repub- ing Americans. I hope very much that serious. We have the potential of hav- lican President; the second time, it was we are going to be able to proceed with ing had in the last campaign our na- filibustered to death in the Senate. that measure, which also is critically tional security compromised by foreign And, by the way, I think I did mention, important to our quest of a balanced money being pushed into this country I do have a campaign finance reform budget. and trying to manipulate our cam- bill. We want to bring about a reduction paigns, and they are trying to change Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the in the national debt and get us on that the subject so that the American peo- gentleman from California [Mr. MIL- glidepath toward a balanced budget. ple will not focus on what is really hap- LER]. We know that unleashing the 7 to 8 pening and what really happened in the (Mr. MILLER of California asked and trillion dollars that is locked in today, campaign last year by this President was given permission to revise and ex- people who do not want to sell their and by the Democratic National Com- tend his remarks.) family farm, their small business, their mittee. That is what is going on here. Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. home or other appreciated asset be- I just came back from 2 weeks in my Speaker, not only will the Republicans cause of the fact that that capital district and holding town meetings and not bring campaign finance reform to gains tax rate is so high, that capital meeting with my people. I did not trav- the floor, but their rhetoric today tells would be unleashed, if we could reduce el anywhere. I worked my district dur- us how far away they are from what is that rate from 28 to 14 percent, and ing the district work period, and I had happening in America. would go a long way toward increasing one person ask one question on cam- They want to suggest that the exist- the flow of revenues to the Treasury, paign finance reform. ing system is just fine, that it is a as it has done every single time Now, the American people out there transgression simply of the White throughout this century. know exactly what is going on here on House that we should only be con- Every shred of empirical evidence we the floor of the House, and, frankly, cerned about. And we should be very have is that it will increase the flow of they are ashamed as to what is going concerned about those. April 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1353 They would argue that it is OK, as The Chair would, however, admonish It is very embarrassing on the biparti- they did under the existing system, to all Members that it is a violation of san basis. But we have got to clear the have Haley Barbour say that he can set the House rules to address the people air. We owe it to the American public. up meetings for anybody who gives in the galleries. It is also a violation We have got to clear the air at that end $100,000 to any Republican chairman of both of the rule and the spirit of the of Pennsylvania Avenue and we have the House, and he has never been rules to challenge or question other got to clear the air at this end of Penn- turned down. Members’ personal motives. sylvania Avenue. We owe the public no They would say it is fine to have a PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY less. person who is accused of shaking down Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I have a Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 a lobbyist and threatening them that if parliamentary inquiry. minute to the gentleman from they do not contribute to him, they The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Sugarland, TX [Mr. DELAY]. will never have access to his office tleman will state it. Mr. DELAY. I appreciate the gen- again. Under a current FBI investiga- Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, if I under- tleman yielding me this time. tion, it is just fine to have him inves- stand your ruling correctly, the gen- Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from tigate the President. tleman from California has made state- California has repeatedly brought up this incident, including in the media, b ments about another Member of this 1215 and has been quoted in the media about They would suggest that it is fine House that are incorrect. Is it the rul- ing of the Chair that a Member can an incident where there were lobbyists that a committee Chair, Republican in the majority whip’s office writing make incorrect statements about an- committee Chair, get $200,000 from the legislation. other Member on the floor and not very people he meets with about mat- I will be glad to yield to the gen- ters before his committee and the have his words taken down? tleman to give me the names in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The money comes right after the meetings. RECORD of those lobbyists that were in Chair is not in a position to rule on the That is all apparently allowed under my office writing legislation, and the truthfulness or veracity of a statement the existing system, and they do not incident and the time and the date. made by a Member on the floor of the think it should be investigated. They The least he could do when he makes a House. That is a subject for debate. do not think it should be investigated; statement that is totally incorrect, Mr. DELAY. I thank the Chair. that there is nothing wrong with the that he could provide that information The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- system; that at the Republican gala, to the House, or at least if that is the tleman from California may proceed in top donors, if you give $250,000 you can case and it violates the rules of the order. get to a lunch with the Republican ma- Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. House or violates a law, would bring jority leader, the Speaker, the whip, Speaker, the point is this. The point is charges against this Member. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to yield to and others and committee Chairs. If that the American public is treated on the gentleman from California. you give $10,000, you can have a meet- a daily basis to account after account ing. after account where money buys you b 1230 You know what you get, ladies and privilege in the House of Representa- gentlemen, you get seats in the gal- Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. tives among the leadership and it buys lery. You the public get seats in the Speaker, will the gentleman yield? you access. That has got to stop be- Mr. DELAY. I yield to the gentleman gallery. You know what big donors get? cause it simply is not fair to the Amer- from California. They get access to leadership power ican people. Money is distorting how Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. and decisions. That is under the exist- decisions are being made in this House, Speaker, as the gentleman knows, un- ing system, and that is why we are say- the people’s House. Money is distorting fortunately I can either make the con- ing it has to be reformed. Two years outcomes in the people’s House. Money tribution or I am a lobbyist. I was not ago we watched as top lobbyists sat in is distorting the schedule in the peo- privy to the meeting, but the meeting the majority whip’s office and drafted ple’s House. That has got to stop. was widely reported, and I am not see- legislation to the Clean Water Act. And that is what is happening under ing the denial of the meeting taking Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I demand the existing system. That is happening place. that the gentleman’s words be taken under the existing system, and that is Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming down. my time, obviously the gentleman can- The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. why we objected yesterday so we could get time today to speak out against not substantiate his charges, obviously GUTKNECHT). The gentleman will sus- he cannot name names. pend. the status quo. The status quo is cor- roding this institution, it is corroding Mr. MILLER of California. Does the The gentleman from California will gentleman deny that these meetings be seated. the decisionmaking process, it is cor- roding the outcome. The people of this took place? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. DELAY. This gentleman, Mr. country deserve better. That is why we Clerk will report the words. Speaker, denies categorically that it need campaign finance reform. We need The Clerk read as follows: ever happened, that there are lobbyists it for this institution. We need it for If you give $10,000, you can have a meeting. in the majority whip’s office writing the integrity of the Democratic insti- You know what you get, ladies and gentle- legislation, unlike in the gentleman’s men? You get seats in the gallery. You the tution, the House of Representatives, office where environmental groups public get seats in the gallery. You know the U.S. Senate. We need it to bring write legislation. what big donors get? They get access to lead- back the faith of the people we rep- ership power and decisions. That is under the Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. resent. Speaker, the gentleman wanted to take existing system, and that is why we are say- This is not about our campaigns. ing it has to be reformed. Two years ago we down words for inaccurate statements. watched as top lobbyists sat in the majority This is not about whether we get elect- I guess we can understand why the rul- whip’s office and drafted legislation to the ed or not elected. This is about wheth- ing does not exist right now. Clean Water Act. er or not it is on the level in this place, Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the whether or not every person has the yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from gentleman from Texas seek recogni- right to the same access; not access Maine [Mr. ALLEN]. tion? based upon merit, not on the size of (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given Mr. DELAY. No, Mr. Speaker. I ask your wallet, not on the size of your permission to revise and extend his re- that the Chair rule. contribution. That is what this argu- marks.) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ment is over. Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, bring this Chair is prepared to rule. But they will not let us have this de- down to a different level. In the opinion of the Chair, there was bate on the floor of the House of Rep- I rise to urge Members of this body to no direct reference to a Member spe- resentatives. We have to go through vote in opposition to the motion for cifically performing a quid pro quo. parliamentary maneuver after par- the previous question and I do so be- Therefore, the Chair will rule that the liamentary maneuver to have this said. cause I want to raise the issue of cam- words are not unparliamentary. Why? Because it is very embarrassing. paign finance reform. I think it is time H1354 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 9, 1997 for us to deal with it, and I want to to do something about the issue of too ceilings on them like they did for the mention a couple of points. much money in campaigns. You’ve got White House, and have that system so First, according to a recent poll, 85 to address it.’’ easily abused as it was by President percent of Americans think that there And believe me, the American people Clinton. Let us move on with this bill is a crisis or a problem with the way feel very strongly that this is not hap- which allows bringing up the bill for candidates raise and spend campaign pening right now, and the fault lies veterans’ benefits, let us pass this rule funds, and according to another recent squarely with the Republican leader- and get on with the business of the poll, 85 percent of the people think that ship of this House of Representatives. House. special interest groups have more in- The Speaker, the Speaker has repeat- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I fluence than voters. edly said on many occasions there is yield such time as he may consume to Now, when I was back in my district not enough money in campaigns. Just the gentleman from California [Mr. over the last 2 weeks, people did raise the opposite is certainly true, and we MILLER]. the issue of campaign finance reform, have been here, many of us on the (Mr. MILLER of California asked and and do my colleagues know what a cou- Democratic side of the aisle, many was given permission to revise and ex- ple of them said? They said, ‘‘Why are times over the last 3 or 4 months, in- tend his remarks.) you spending millions of dollars on in- cluding myself, saying we want this Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. vestigations and doing nothing to help issue brought up, we are not in the ma- Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to us? Why are you spending millions of jority, we cannot control the agenda. place into the RECORD an article from dollars on investigations and doing That is why we have to go to the the Washington Post, March 12, 1995: nothing to help us?’’ floor in these procedural ways and ask ‘‘Forging an Alliance of Deregulation, I believe that from my experience if to defeat the previous question because Representative DELAY Makes Compa- we cannot find people who care about the Republican leadership refuses to nies Full Partners in the Movement.’’ campaign finance reform we are not bring it up, and do not tell me that The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. looking very hard. It may not deal when the Democrats were in the major- GUTKNECHT). Is there objection to the with their jobs, it may not deal with ity that we did not bring it up. In fact request of the gentleman from Califor- their education, it may not be Social we did. It passed. I remember. I voted nia? Security or Medicare. They are things for it on the House floor here. But it Mr. DELAY. I object, Mr. Speaker. that matter to their personal lives, but went over to the other body, and the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Objec- they care about our democracy and Senators, the Republican Senators on tion is heard. they care about this system of cam- the other side filibustered and killed it. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I paign funding. It is important because So there is no question the Demo- yield 20 seconds to the gentleman from crats are in favor of campaign finance the relationship between those who California [Mr. MILLER]. elect us and those who sit in elective reform, Democrats are in favor of de- Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. offices is critically important. It is a bate, Democrats want a bill to pass. We Speaker, I appreciate the objection. have said that we would like to have it matter of trust. If our citizens con- The point is on March 12, 1995, the happen by Memorial Day; I think the tinue to believe, as they do now, that Washington Post sets forth the series President mentioned July 4. Certainly money has more influence than votes, of meetings taking place wherein lob- the sooner the better, but so far no then we are diminished, they are di- byists and campaign contributors are hearings on the other side, the Repub- minished, and this democracy is dimin- provided a full partnership, are pro- licans. The Republicans have not had a ished. vided a full partnership, and I will hearing, they do not bring it up, they There is too much money in politics, yield in 1 second, in the drafting of leg- have no bill, they have no plan, they do and we need to do something about it. islation that was dealing at that time not want to talk about it, which is why I am a cochair of a freshman task with deregulation. they get mad when we do. But I am force, a bipartisan group, six Repub- Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, will the telling my colleagues right now that licans and six Democrats, and we want gentleman yield? the public will not stand for it. They to work on this issue through this Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The want action. gress, and what I ask all the Members Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 time of the gentleman from California here is to make sure that the year 2000 minutes to my friend, the gentleman (Mr. MILLER) has expired. is not a repeat of the year 1996 and we Mr. DELAY. As usual, the gentle- from Georgia [Mr. LINDER]. deal with campaign finance reform Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I think it man’s time is always expiring while he now. is fascinating to watch the hue and cry is trying to accuse another Member of Mr. DREIER. I reserve the balance of for campaign finance reform from the the House. my time, Mr. Speaker. Democrats when they controlled the Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I House, the Senate, and the White minute to the gentleman from Texas yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from House 4 years ago and chose not to [Mr. DELAY]. New Jersey [Mr. PALLONE]. bring it up. Mr. DELAY. I just got to say, Mr. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I just The fact of the matter is we have two Speaker, in that article there is no— wanted to follow up on my colleagues kinds of campaign financing systems in there are no names, there are no time from Maine and from California, par- America; one is congressional. We periods that this meeting happened, ticularly the gentleman from Califor- could only take $1,000 from an individ- there is absolutely no—regular order, nia, who said that we have an obliga- ual or $5,000 from a PAC, we must re- Mr. Speaker. I know the gentleman tion to bring up the issue of campaign port everything we receive and every- does not like the rules—— finance reform, and the main reason thing we spend, and that system did The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- for that, I believe, is what I experi- not break down, and no one is accusing tleman from Wisconsin is out of order. enced in the last 2 weeks in my district it of having broken down. Mr. DELAY. I know the gentleman during our district work period. There is another system for Presi- does not like to follow the rules, Mr. Again, as the gentleman from Maine dential campaigns. If they accept $75 Speaker, but I am asking for regular said, so many of my constituents would million of taxpayer money, they may order. come up to me and say, ‘‘What is going not spend a penny more. That is pre- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- on in Washington? The Congress isn’t cisely what Bob Dole did; that is not tleman from Texas (Mr. DELAY) con- doing anything. The only thing that what President Clinton did. He accept- trols the time. they’re doing is doing investigations of ed the $75 million, and he spent $40 mil- Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I appre- campaigns and frankly we’re not inter- lion more than that. He admitted to ciate the courtesy from the gentleman. ested. We don’t want the money, the doing that, but he said it was necessary Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I prefer millions of dollars that is going to be to break the law because ‘‘we would truth over courtesy any time. spent on this. Sure, you can do a little have lost.’’ Mr. DELAY. Regular order, Mr. investigation if you want, you can look Now, I do not want to see America Speaker, or have the gentlemen re- into it, but the main thing is you have pay for the congressional races, with moved from the floor. April 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1355

The SPEAKER pro tempore. We will Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the that will allow us to debate suspen- have regular order. gentleman for yielding this time to me, sions today and tomorrow. The gentleman from Texas is recog- and since the gentleman from Wiscon- Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank nized. sin would not yield to me, especially the gentleman from California for Mr. DELAY. How much time do I when I asked him to read the names, he yielding me this time. have remaining, Mr. Speaker? does not want to read the names be- Let me say I am not sure what of- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- cause he will not enter into a dialog fends me most, the lack of civility that tleman has 45 seconds remaining. with me about the fact that one news- we have just seen in the last few min- Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, it seems paper article misrepresented what hap- utes or a colleague of mine standing up that it is OK to take something out of pens in my office and that the fact that in front of the American people and the newspaper that is not true and there has never been lobbyists sitting saying that this system is rotten to the bring it down to the floor of the House in my office or any office of the leader- core. Come on, wake up. This system is and attack other Members of this ship sitting down writing bills. not rotten to the core. House with something that is not true, We all know that the legislative written by a reporter in the Washing- counsel does that, and we all know Sure, we have a few bad apples. I ton Post, and using it as if it were true, that we talk to people about the bills, would ask the gentleman to show me and I think it is really, Mr. Speaker— and he will not read the names. Read 535 people anywhere in this country it shows the lack of shame in this the names so that I may respond to the where we do not have some of those in- House about what is going on in this incident. But they do not want to read dividuals that misbehave. But frankly, House when we are trying to pass a the names because once again they are as a whole, most of the people within rule to bring bills up, consentual bills trying to smear another Member of this Congress are hardworking individ- up, under suspension when the minor- this House. uals on both sides of the aisle. We have ity does not even have a campaign fi- Mr. Speaker, I think we just consider good people on both sides of the aisle. nance reform bill that they could bring the source of the issue, and if the gen- Both sides of the aisle have individuals to the floor even if we gave them the tleman does not yield to me, I am not who work very hard. time to bring it to the floor. going to yield to him. Take a look at the current system Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. OBEY. I yielded to the gen- that we have on campaigns. Do not lis- yield 1 minute to the gentleman from tleman. ten to the rhetoric that we have heard. Wisconsin [Mr. OBEY]. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The problems that we have seen in the Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I was in my last year, it is not the system. The sys- office when I saw the incident that just The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tem is not the problem. It is people occurred on the House floor involving Chair would remind all Members the who are violating the system. It is peo- the meeting that was discussed by the matter before the House is House Reso- ple who are violating the law. gentleman from California which he in- lution No. 107. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I dicated had taken place in the major- Name one administration that my yield 1 minute to the gentleman from ity whip’s office. The majority whip colleague can think of in the history of New York [Mr. SCHUMER]. has said that the newspaper article to this country that discloses, gives top Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank which the gentleman from California secret information to the national po- the gentlewoman for yielding this time referred contained no names of lobby- litical committee. Just take a look at to me, and as my colleagues know, the ists. I have in my hand, as the Senator incident after incident after incident. reason we have had such a tizzy in the from my own State used to say, a copy The system does not allow that. It is last half hour is very simple. Every- of the article in question, and if my against the law. We ought to inves- body in this Chamber knows the sys- colleagues examine the text, there are tigate that and we ought to have reper- tem is rotten to the core. They may the names of seven lobbyists listed. cussions for disobeying the law. But it quibble about a detail, this or that. Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, would the Mr. Speaker, regular order. is wrong because somebody goes out gentleman yield and read those names? and violates a law, it is wrong because Mr. OBEY. I would be happy to allow b 1345 somebody goes out and violates the in- the gentleman to read the names. I am ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE tent of the law, it is wrong because not going to mention the name of any The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. there are a few bad apples in the sys- person on the floor who is not here to GUTKNECHT). The Chair would require tem that the gentleman from New defend himself. all Members to be respectful of each York [Mr. SCHUMER] comes out and Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, will the other anywhere on the floor. Hershey says that this system is rotten to the gentleman yield? was only 3 weeks ago. core. Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I will not The gentleman from New York [Mr. yield further, not at this time. The Let me tell my colleagues, we live in SCHUMER] is recognized. The gentleman gentleman can come here and read the the greatest country in the world. We has 32 seconds remaining. names. have a system that is the best system Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I would I would ask unanimous consent again in the world. It allows this kind of de- simply say that I have seen these arti- to be allowed to place this in the bate on this House floor. We can stand cles, they have names in them. One of RECORD so that the names can be in the up here and talk about any issue that the articles refers to a lobbyist being RECORD. we want without facing repercussions The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the chief draftsman of the bill. from the military, for example, as we objection to the request of the gen- Now, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. see in other countries. tleman from Wisconsin? DELAY] says it is not true. The Wash- It is wrong for any one of us in these ington Post reporter obviously thought Mr. DELAY. I object. chambers to stand up and speak in Mr. OBEY. I thought the gentleman it was true. such derogatory terms as to paint a There is one point to all of this. The would. blanket paintbrush over every individ- reason that the gentleman from Texas The SPEAKER pro tempore. Objec- ual in here that some system is rotten is so inflamed about this is because we tion is heard. to the core. I apologize for the state- all know the system is rotten to the Mr. OBEY. I thought the gentleman ment on behalf of the individual that core, and we deserve a lot of blame on would. made it. I find it interesting that the truth is this side that when we had the major- being suppressed on the floor of the ity, we did not reform it. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I House in the name of the rules of the Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from House. minutes to my friend, the gentleman New York [Mr. SCHUMER]. Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, once from Glenwood Springs, CO [Mr. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I do not again I yield 1 minute to my friend, the MCINNIS], a very able member of the apologize to anyone for saying that the gentleman from Sugarland, TX [Mr. Committee on Rules, as we continue system of campaign finance in this DELAY], the majority whip. this debate on this very important rule country is rotten to the core. H1356 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 9, 1997 There are good people here, and even question is defeated, I shall offer an Because the vote today may look bad for they are turned in a bad direction by amendment which will require that the Republican majority they will say ‘‘the the way we finance campaigns, and the comprehensive campaign finance re- vote on the previous question is simply a sooner the gentleman from Colorado form legislation be considered by this vote on whether to proceed to an immediate vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] and every Member of this body, Demo- House by the end of the month. has no substantive legislative policy impli- crat and Republican, face that, the Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- cations whatsoever.’’ But that is not what sooner we will be able to clean it up sent to include the text of the proposed they have always said. Listen to the Repub- and restore people’s faith. amendment at this point in the RECORD lican Leadership ‘‘Manual on the Legislative Mr. Speaker, I love this country as along with a brief explanation of what Process in the United States House of Rep- much as the gentleman from Colorado the vote on the previous question real- resentatives,’’ (6th edition, page 135). Here’s [Mr. MCINNIS] does. I ask my col- ly means and to include extraneous how the Republicans describe the previous leagues to go ask the American people. material. question vote in their own manual: ‘‘Al- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there though it is generally not possible to amend The system of the way we finance cam- the rule because the majority Member con- paigns is rotten to the core. objection to the request of the gentle- trolling the time will not yield for the pur- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 15 woman from New York? pose of offering an amendment, the same re- seconds to my friend from Colorado There was no objection. sult may be achieved by voting down the pre- [Mr. MCINNIS]. The material referred to is as follows: vious question on the rule . . . When the mo- Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, a very At the end of the resolution add the follow- tion for the previous question is defeated, simple question to the gentleman: How ing new section: control of the time passes to the Member much money do you have in your bank Section 2. No later than May 31, 1997, the who led the opposition to ordering the pre- account? House shall consider comprehensive cam- vious question. That Member, because he paign finance reform legislation under an Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I then controls the time, may offer an amend- open amendment process. ment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Mr. Speaker, this vote on whether or amendment. Wisconsin [Mr. OBEY]. Deschler’s ‘‘Procedure in the U.S. House of Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, the gen- not to order the previous question is not merely a procedural vote. It is a Representatives,’’ the subchapter titled tleman from Texas [Mr. DELAY] has ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal asked why I do not want to read the vote against the Republican majority’s to order the previous question on such a rule names of the lobbyists in the article. It failure to develop and carry out an [a special rule reported from the Committee is very simple. They are not Members agenda that is meaningful to the Amer- on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- of the House and they cannot defend ican people. It is one of the few tools ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ‘‘Upon re- themselves. He can, and he ought to. I we have as the minority to offer an al- ternative plan for what the House jection of the motion for the previous ques- would suggest that if he wants to dis- tion on a resolution reported from the Com- cuss these names, I am happy to dis- should spend its time debating. We be- lieve that should be comprehensive mittee on Rules, control shifts to the Mem- cuss them with him publicly or pri- ber leading the opposition to the previous vately any time. campaign finance reform. If the pre- question, who may offer a proper amendment Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve vious question is defeated, we will have or motion and who controls the time for de- the balance of my time. the opportunity to amend the rule to bate thereon.’’ Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I require consideration of a campaign fi- The vote on the previous question on a rule nance bill by the end of next month. does have substantive policy implications. It yield 1 minute to the gentleman from is the one of the only available tools for Texas [Mr. DOGGETT]. The previous question is the way we can, by vote of the House, tell this Re- those who oppose the Republican majority’s Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, this has agenda to offer an alternative plan. been perhaps the most revealing debate publican leadership to do what the of this entire session of Congress. American people really sent us here to [From the Washington Post, Mar. 12, 1995] I might say, to use an old phrase, do. FORGING AN ALLIANCE FOR DEREGULATION when push comes to shove, we get down I urge my colleagues to vote against (By Michael Weisskopf and David Maraniss) to the heart of a critical issue to the the previous question. Vote for com- REP. DELAY MAKES COMPANIES FULL PARTNERS American people and we see why it is prehensive campaign reform. IN THE MOVEMENT that our Republican colleagues are so THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT IT The day before the Republicans formally fearful of giving us even 10 minutes to REALLY MEANS took control of Congress, Rep. Tom DeLay debate this issue on the floor of the This vote, the vote on whether to order the strolled to a meeting in the rear conference U.S. Congress; why they are so previous question on a special rule, is not room of his spacious new leadership suite on merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- the first floor of the Capitol. The dapper hypersensitive when the issue is not in- dering the previous question is a vote Texas Congressman, soon to be sworn in as fluence peddling down the street, but against the Republican majority agenda and House majority whip, saw before him a group influence peddling right here in this a vote to allow the opposition, at least for of lobbyists representing some of the biggest building: Peddling out checks from to- the moment, to offer an alternative plan. It companies in America, assembled on mis- bacco companies; having meetings, not is a vote about what the House should be de- matched chairs amid packing boxes, a huge, just one isolated meeting that has been bating. unplugged copying machine and constantly Mr. Clarence Cannon’s ‘‘Precedents of the discussed here. At the committee that ringing telephones. House of Representatives,’’ (VI, 308–311) de- He could not wait to start on what he con- I served on last year, they turned over scribes the vote on the previous question on sidered the central mission of his political the taxpayer financed computers to the the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the career: the demise of the modern era of gov- lobbyists to write the legislation, and consideration of the subject before the House ernment regulation. then they had them sit there and whis- is being made by the Member in charge.’’ To Since his arrival in Washington a decade per in the ear of the committee counsel defeat the previous question is to give the earlier, DeLay, a former exterminator who how to answer the questions about the opposition a chance to decide the subject be- had made a living killing fire ants and ter- fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s legislation that the lobbyists had writ- mites on Houston’s wealthy west side, had ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that been seeking to eradicate federal safety and ten. ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- environmental rules that he felt placed ex- It is that connection between special mand for the previous question passes the cessive burdens on American businesses. interest campaign finance and between control of the resolution to the opposition’’ During his rise to power in Congress, he the writing of legislation to benefit in order to offer an amendment. On March had befriended many industry lobbyists who those same special interests that ought 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- shared his fervor. Some of them were gath- to be devoted a week, not an hour, a fered a rule resolution. The House defeated ered in his office that January morning at week, on the floor to debate how to fix the previous question and a member of the the dawn of the Republican revolution, ener- opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, it, and they are afraid to do it. gized by a sense that their time was finally asking who was entitled to recognition. at hand. Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: The session inaugurated an unambiguous the balance of my time. ‘‘The previous question having been refused, collaboration of political and commercial in- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitzger- terests, certainly not uncommon in Washing- yield myself the balance of my time. ald, who had asked the gentleman to yield to ton but remarkable this time for the ease Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on him for an amendment, is entitled to the and eagerness with which these allies com- the previous question. If the previous first recognition.’’ bined. Republicans have championed their April 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1357 legislative agenda as an answer to popular But the alliance with business and indus- for Republican whip. He knew the best way dissatisfaction with Congress and the federal try demonstrated in the push for a morato- to build up chits was to raise campaign funds government. But the agenda also represents rium is not without peril for Republicans, for other candidates. The large number of a triumph for business interests, who after many GOP strategists acknowledge. The open congressional seats and collection of years of playing a primarily defensive role in more the new Republican leaders follow busi- strong Republican challengers offered him Democratic-controlled Congresses now find ness prescriptions for limited government in an unusual opportunity. He turned to his themselves a full partner of the Republican the months ahead, the greater the risk that network of business friends and lobbyists. ‘‘I leadership in shaping congressional prior- they will appear to be serving the corporate sometimes overly prevailed on these allies, ities. elite and lose the populist appeal that they DeLay said. The campaign launched in DeLay’s office carried with them into power in last Novem- In the 1994 elections, he was the second- that day was quick and successful. It re- ber’s elections. leading fund-raiser for House Republican sulted last month in a lopsided vote by the William Kristol, a key Republican analyst candidates, behind only Gingrich. In adding House for what once seemed improbable: a whose frequent strategy memos help shape up contributions he had solicited for others, 13-month halt to the sorts of government di- the conservative agenda, said the way con- DeLay said, he lost count at about $2 mil- rectives that Democrats had viewed as vital gressional leaders deal with that apparent lion. His persuasive powers were evident in to ensuring a safe and clean society, but that conflict could determine their prospects for the case of the National-American Wholesale many businesses often considered oppressive consolidating congressional power. ‘‘If they Grocers Association PAC, which already had and counterproductive. A similar bill is legislate for special interests,’’ he said, ‘‘it’s contributed $120,000 to candidates by the under consideration in the Senate, where its going to be hard to show the Republican time DeLay addressed the group last Sep- chances of approval are not as certain. Party has fundamentally changed the way tember. After listening to his speech on what Although several provisions of the ‘‘Con- business is done in Washington.’’ could be accomplished by a pro-business Con- tract With America’’ adopted by Republican THE EXTERMINATOR gress, they contributed another $80,000 to Re- House candidates last fall take specific aim After graduating from the University of publicans and consulted DeLay, among oth- at rolling back federal regulations, the mor- Houston with a biology degree in 1970, Tom ers, on its distribution. atorium was not part of that. In fact, as out- DeLay, the son of an oil drilling contractor, The chief lobbyist for the grocers, Bruce lined that day in DeLay’s office by Gordon found himself managing a pesticide formula Gates, would be recruited later by DeLay to Gooch, an oversized, folksy lobbyist for en- company. Four years later he was the owner chair his anitregulatory Project Relief. Sev- ergy and petrochemical interests who served of Albo Pest Control, a little outfit whose eral other business lobbyists played crucial as the congressman’s initial legislative ghost name he hated but kept anyway because a roles in DeLay’s 1994 fund-raising and also writer, the first draft of the bill called for a marketing study noted it reminded consum- followed Gates’s path into the limited, 100-day moratorium on rulemaking ers of a well-known brand of dog food. antiregulatory effort. Among the most ac- while the House pushed through the more By his account, DeLay transformed Albo tive were David Rehr of the National Beer comprehensive antiregulatory plank in the into ‘‘the Cadillac’’ of Houston extermi- Wholesalers Association, Dan Mattoon of Contract. nators, serving only the finest homes. But BellSouth Corporation, Robert Rusbuldt of But his fellow lobbyists in the inner circle his frustrations with government rules in- Independent Insurance Agents of America argued that was too timid, according to par- creased in tandem with his financial success. and Elaine Graham of the National Res- ticipants in the meeting. Over the next few He disparaged federal worker safety rules, taurant Association. days, several drafts were exchanged by the including one that required his termite men At the center of the campaign network was corporate agents. Each new version sharp- to wear hard hats when they tunneled under Mildred Webber, a political consultant who ened and expanded the moratorium bill, houses. And the Environmental Protection had been hired by DeLay to run his race for often with the interests of clients in mind— Agency’s pesticide regulations, he said, whip. She stayed in regular contact with one provision favoring California motor ‘‘drove me crazy.’’ The agency had banned both the lobbyists and more than 80 GOP fleets, another protecting industrial consum- congressional challengers, drafting talking ers of natural gas, and a third keeping alive Mirex, a chemical effective in killing fire ants but at first considered a dangerous car- points for the neophyte candidates and call- Union Carbide Corp.’s hopes for altering a ing the lobbyist bank when they needed Labor Department requirement. cinogen by federal bureaucrats. By the time they changed their assessment a few years money. Contributions came in from various As the measure progressed, the roles of leg- business PACs, which Webber bundled to- islator and lobbyist blurred. DeLay and his later, it was too late; Mirex makers had gone out of business. gether with a good-luck note from DeLay. assistants guided industry supporters in an ‘‘We’d rustle up checks for the guy and ad hoc group whose name, Project Relief, The cost and complexity of regulations, DeLay said, got in the way of profits and make sure Tom got the credit,’’ said Rehr, sounded more like a Third World humani- the beer lobbyist. ‘‘So when new members tarian aid effort than a corporate alliance drove him into politics. ‘‘I found out govern- ment was a cost of doing business,’’ he said, voted for majority whip, they’d say, ‘I with a half-million-dollar communications wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Tom budget. On key amendments, the coalition ‘‘and I better get involved in it.’’ He arrived in the Texas legislature in 1978 DeLay.’ ’’ provided the draftsman. And once the bill For his part, DeLay hosted fundraisers in and the debate moved to the House floor, with a nickname that defined his mission: ‘‘Mr. DeReg.’’ Seven years later he moved his the districts and brought challengers to lobbyists hovered nearby, tapping out talk- Washington for introduction to the PAC ing points on a laptop computer for delivery crusade to Washington as the congressman from Houston’s conservative southwest sub- community. One event was thrown for David to Republican floor leaders. M. McIntosh, an Indiana candidate who ran Many of Project Relief’s 350 industry mem- urbs. He sought to publicize his cause by handing out Red Tape Awards for what he the regulation-cutting Council on Competi- bers had spent the past few decades angling tiveness in the Bush administration under for a place of power in Democratic governing considered the most frivolous regulations. But it was a lonely, quixotic enterprise, fellow Hoosier Dan Quayle. McIntosh won circles and had made lavish contributions to and was named chairman of the House regu- Democratic campaigns, often as much out of hardly noticed in the Democrat-dominated House, where systematic regulation of indus- latory affairs subcommittee. He hired pragmatism as ideology. But now they were Webber as staff director. in the position of being courted and con- try was seen as necessary to keep the busi- ness community from putting profit over the It was with the lopsided support of such sulted by newly empowered Republicans Republican freshmen as McIntosh that dedicated to cutting government regulation public interest and to guarantee a safe, clean and fair society. The greater public good, DeLay swamped two rivals and became the and eager to share the job. majority whip of the 104th Congress. Before No congressman has been more openly so- Democratic leaders and their allies in labor the vote, he had received final commitments licitous in that respect than DeLay, the 47- and environmental groups argued, had been from 52 of the 73 newcomers. year-old congressional veteran regarded by well served by government regulation. many lawmakers and lobbyists as the sharp- Countless highway deaths had been pre- THE FREEZE est political dealer among the ruling House vented by mandatory safety procedures in The idea for Project Relief first surfaced triad that includes fellow Texan Richard K. cars. Bald eagles were flying because of the before the November elections that brought Armey, the majority leader, and Speaker ban on DDT. Rivers were saved by federal Republicans to power in the House for the Newt Gingrich of Georgia. mandates on sewerage. first time in 40 years. Several weeks after DeLay described his partnership with DeLay nonetheless was gaining notice in the election, it had grown into one of the Project Relief as a model for effective Re- the world of commerce. Businessmen would most diverse business groups ever formed for publican lawmaking, a fair fight against complain about the cost of regulation, which specific legislative action. Leaders of the Democratic alliances with labor unions and the government says amounts to $430 billion project, at their first post-election meeting, environmentalists. ‘‘Our supporters are no a year passed along to consumers. They discussed the need for an immediate move to different than theirs,’’ DeLay said of the would cite what they thought were silly place a moratorium on federal rules. More Democrats. ‘‘But somehow they have this rules, such as the naming of dishwashing liq- than 4,000 regulations were due to come out Christ-like attitude what they are doing [is] uid on a list of hazardous materials in the in the coming months, before the Republican protecting the world when they’re tearing it workplace. They pushed for regulatory relief, House could deal with comprehensive apart.’’ Turning to business lobbyists to and they saw DeLay as their point man. antiregulatory legislation. draft legislation makes sense, according to The two-way benefits of that relationship DeLay agreed with the business lobbyists DeLay, because ‘‘they have the expertise.’’ were most evident last year when DeLay ran that a regulatory ‘‘timeout’’ was needed. He H1358 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 9, 1997 wrote a letter to the Clinton administration As the moratorium bill reached the House There shall be a motion for the previous Dec. 12 asking for a 100-day freeze on federal floor, the business coalition proved equally question, which, being ordered by a majority rule-making. The request was rejected two potent. Twenty major corporate groups ad- of the Members voting, if a quorum is days later by a mid-level official who de- vised lawmakers on the eve of debate Feb. 23 present, shall have the effect to cut off all scribed the moratorium concept as a ‘‘blun- that this was a key vote, one that would be debate and bring the House to a direct vote derbuss.’’ DeLay then turned to Gooch to considered in future campaign contributions. upon the immediate question or questions on write legislation that would do what the ad- McIntosh, who served as DeLay’s deputy which it has been asked or ordered. ministration would not. for deregulation, assembled a war room in a In the case of a special rule or order of At the Jan. 3 meeting in DeLay’s office, small office just off the House floor to re- business resolution reported from the House Paul C. Smith, lobbyist for some of the na- spond to challenges from Democratic oppo- Rules Committee, providing for the consider- tion’s largest motor fleets, criticized Gooch’s nents. His rapid response team included ation of a specified legislative measure, the draft because it excluded court-imposed reg- Smith, the motor fleet lobbyist, to answer previous question is moved following the one ulations. He volunteered to do the next draft environmental questions; James H. Burnley hour of debate allowed for under House and came back with a version that addressed IV, an airline lobbyist who had served as Rules. the concerns of his clients. Under court transportation secretary in the Reagan ad- The vote on the previous question is sim- ministration, to advise on transportation order, the EPA was about to impose an air ply a procedural vote on whether to proceed rules; and UPS lobbyist Dorothy Strunk, a pollution plan in California that might re- to an immediate vote on adopting the resolu- former director of the Occupational Health quire some of Smith’s clients—United Parcel tion that sets the ground rules for debate and Safety Administration, to tackle work- Service and auto leasing companies—to run and amendments on the legislation it would place issues. Project Relief chairman Gates vehicles on ultraclean fuels, requiring the re- and lobbyists for small business and truck- make in order. Therefore, the vote on the placement of their fleets. ing companies also participated. previous question has no substantive legisla- Smith removed the threat with a stroke of When Republican leaders were caught off tive or policy implications whatsoever. his pen, extending the moratorium to cover guard by a Democratic amendment or alert- Mr. Speaker, in conclusion I would court deadlines. He also helped Webber add ed to a last-minute problem by one of their wording in a later amendment that extended say that this has been the most inter- allies, Smith would bang out responses on esting debate that we possibly could the moratorium from eight to 13 months. his laptop computer and hand the disk to a Peter Molinaro, a mustachioed lobbyist for McIntosh aide who had them printed and de- have had over a measure that will sim- Union Carbide, had a different concern: He livered to the House floor. ply allow us to consider two additional wanted to make sure the moratorium would The final vote for the moratorium was 276 days of suspension. not affect new federal rules if their intention to 146, with 51 Democrats joining DeLay’s Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance was to soften or streamline other federal side. Still 14 votes short of the two-thirds of my time, and I move the previous rules. The Labor Department, for example, needed to override a veto, the support ex- question on the resolution. was reviewing a proposal to narrow a rule ceeded the original hopes of Project Relief that employers keep records of off-duty inju- leaders. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ries to workers. Union Carbide, Molinaro One week later, DeLay appeared before a question is on ordering the previous noted in an interview, had been fined $50,000 gathering of a few hundred lobbyists, law- question. for violating that rule and was eager for it to makers and reporters in the Caucus Room of The question was taken; and the be changed. the Cannon House Office Building to cele- Speaker pro tempore announced that For his part, Gooch wanted to make sure brate the House’s success in voting to freeze the ayes appeared to have it. that the routine, day-to-day workings of reg- government regulations and, in a pair of Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I ob- companion bills, curtail them. He stood next ulatory agencies would not be interrupted by ject to the vote on the ground that a a moratorium. His petrochemical clients to a five-foot replica of the Statue of Lib- rely on the Federal Energy Regulatory Com- erty, wrapped from neck to toe in bright red quorum is not present and make the mission to make sure natural gas and oil, tape, pulled out a pair of scissors, and jubi- point of order that a quorum is not used in their production processes, flow con- lantly snipped away. present. sistently and at reasonable rates. Standing next to him, brandishing scissors The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- Gooch said he had ‘‘no specific mission’’ of his own, as the chairman of Project Relief. dently a quorum is not present. other than helping DeLay. ‘‘I’m not claiming Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- to be a Boy Scout,’’ he added. ‘‘No question myself the balance of my time. sent Members. I thought what I was doing was in the best In conclusion, let me remind my col- Pursuant to clause 5 of rule XV, the interests of my clients.’’ leagues that defeating the previous Chair announces that he may reduce to THE WAR ROOM question is an exercise in futility, be- not less than 5 minutes the time within On the first day of February, 50 Project Re- cause the minority wants to offer an which a vote by electronic device, if or- lief lobbyists met in a House committee amendment that will be ruled out of dered, may be taken on agreeing to the room to map out their vote-getting strategy order as nongermane to this rule. So for the moratorium bill. Their keynote resolution. the vote is without substance, and in The vote was taken by electronic de- speaker was DeLay, who laid out his basic fact we do not have a campaign finance objective: making it a veto-proof bill by lin- vice, and there were—yeas 213, nays ing up a sufficient number of Democratic co- reform bill that has even been intro- 196, not voting 23, as follows: duced that would be offered if this were sponsors. They went to work on it then and [Roll No. 74] there. to be ruled germane. Kim McKernan of the National Federation The previous question vote itself is YEAS—213 of Independent Business read down a list of nothing more than a procedural motion Aderholt Canady English 72 House Democrats who had just voted for to close debate on this rule and proceed Archer Cannon Ensign the GOP balanced budget amendment, rating Armey Castle Everett to the very important vote that we will Bachus Chabot Ewing the likelihood of their joining the have allowing us to consider the veter- Baker Chenoweth Foley antiregulatory effort. The Democrats were ans bill, the American Samoan bill, Barrett (NE) Christensen Forbes placed in Tier One for gettable and Tier Two these suspensions. The vote has no sub- Bartlett Coble Fowler for questionable. Bass Coburn Fox Every Democrat, according to partici- stantive or policy implications whatso- Bateman Collins Franks (NJ) pants, was assigned to a Project Relief lob- ever, that being the previous question Bereuter Combest Frelinghuysen byist, often one who had an angle to play. vote. Bilbray Cook Gallegly Mr. Speaker, at this point I ask Bilirakis Cooksey Ganske The nonprescription drug industry chose Bliley Cox Gekas legislators with Johnson & Johnson plants in unanimous consent to insert in the Blunt Crane Gibbons their districts, such as Ralph M. Hall of RECORD an explanation of the previous Boehlert Crapo Gilchrest Texas and Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey. question issue from our House Commit- Boehner Cubin Gillmor David Thompson, a construction industry of- Bonilla Cunningham Gilman tee on Rules. Bono Davis (VA) Goodlatte ficial whose firms is based in Greenville, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there S.C., targeted South Carolina congressman Brady Deal Goodling objection to the request of the gen- Bryant DeLay Goss John M. Spratt Jr. Bunning Diaz-Balart Graham Federal Express, with its Memphis hub, tleman from California? There was no objection. Burr Dickey Greenwood took Tennessee’s John S. Tanner. South- Burton Dreier Gutknecht western Bell Corp., a past campaign contrib- The material referred to is as follows: Buyer Duncan Hansen utor to Blanche Lambert Lincoln of Arkan- THE PREVIOUS QUESTION VOTE: WHAT IT Callahan Dunn Hastert sas, agreed to contact her. Retail farm sup- MEANS Calvert Ehlers Hastings (WA) pliers picked rural lawmakers, including House Rule XVII (‘‘Previous Question’’) Camp Ehrlich Hayworth Campbell Emerson Hefley Charles W. Stenholm of Texas. provides in part that: April 9, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1359 Herger McIntosh Saxton Serrano Strickland Velazquez ‘‘(B) not being an employee of such agency. Hill McKeon Scarborough Sherman Stupak Vento ‘‘(2) Nothing in this subsection shall prevent Hilleary Metcalf Schaefer, Dan Sisisky Tanner Visclosky an agency from filling a vacant position (wheth- Hobson Mica Schaffer, Bob Skaggs Tauscher Waters er by appointment or otherwise) solely from in- Hoekstra Miller (FL) Sensenbrenner Skelton Taylor (MS) Watt (NC) Horn Molinari Sessions Slaughter Thompson Waxman dividuals on a priority placement list consisting Hostettler Moran (KS) Shadegg Smith, Adam Thurman Wexler of individuals who have been separated from the Houghton Morella Shaw Snyder Tierney Weygand agency due to a reduction in force and surplus Hulshof Myrick Shays Spratt Torres Wise employees (as defined under regulations pre- Hunter Nethercutt Shimkus Stabenow Towns Woolsey scribed by the Office).’’. Hutchinson Neumann Shuster Stenholm Traficant Wynn (b) CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT INFORMA- Skeen Stokes Turner Yates Hyde Ney TION.— Inglis Northup Smith (MI) (1) VACANT POSITIONS.—Section 3327(b) of title Jenkins Norwood Smith (NJ) NOT VOTING—23 Johnson (CT) Nussle Smith (OR) Andrews Chambliss Peterson (MN) 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Johnson, Sam Oxley Smith (TX) Ballenger Doolittle Porter ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (1), by redesig- Jones Packard Smith, Linda Barr Fawell Ryun nating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3), and by Kasich Pappas Snowbarger Barton Filner Schiff inserting after paragraph (1) the following: Kelly Parker Solomon Becerra Granger Stark ‘‘(2) each vacant position in the agency for Kim Paul Souder Bishop Hefner Watts (OK) which competition is restricted to individuals King (NY) Paxon Spence Boyd Istook Young (AK) having competitive status or employees of such Kingston Pease Stearns Carson McCarthy (NY) Klug Peterson (PA) Stump agency, excluding any position under para- Knollenberg Petri Sununu b 1315 graph (1), and’’. Kolbe Pickering Talent (2) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—Section 3327 of LaHood Pitts Tauzin Ms. RIVERS changed her vote from title 5, United States Code, is amended by add- Largent Pombo Taylor (NC) ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ ing at the end the following: Latham Portman Thomas So the previous question was ordered. ‘‘(c) Any notification provided under this sec- LaTourette Pryce (OH) Thornberry tion shall, for all positions under subsection Thune The result of the vote was announced Lazio Quinn (b)(1) as to which section 3304(f) applies and for Leach Radanovich Tiahrt as above recorded. Lewis (CA) Ramstad Upton The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. all positions under subsection (b)(2), include a notation as to the applicability of section 3304(f) Lewis (KY) Regula Walsh GUTKNECHT). The question is on the Linder Riggs Wamp with respect thereto. Livingston Riley Watkins resolution. ‘‘(d) In consultation with the Secretary of LoBiondo Rogan Weldon (FL) The resolution was agreed to. Labor, the Office shall submit to Congress and Lucas Rogers Weldon (PA) A motion to reconsider was laid on the President, no less frequently than every 2 Weller Manzullo Rohrabacher the table. years, a report detailing, with respect to the pe- McCollum Ros-Lehtinen White McCrery Roukema Whitfield f riod covered by such report— McDade Royce Wicker ‘‘(1) the number of positions listed under this McHugh Salmon Wolf ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER section during such period; McInnis Sanford Young (FL) PRO TEMPORE ‘‘(2) the number of preference eligibles and other individuals described in section 3304(f)(1) NAYS—196 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- referred to such positions during such period; Abercrombie Flake Markey ant to the provisions of clause 5 of rule and Ackerman Foglietta Martinez I, the Chair announces that he will ‘‘(3) the number of preference eligibles and Allen Ford Mascara postpone further proceedings today on other individuals described in section 3304(f)(1) Baesler Frank (MA) Matsui the motion to suspend the rules on appointed to such positions during such pe- Baldacci Frost McCarthy (MO) which a recorded vote or the yeas and riod.’’. Barcia Furse McDermott (c) GOVERNMENTWIDE LISTS.— Barrett (WI) Gejdenson McGovern nays are ordered, or on which the vote (1) VACANT POSITIONS.—Section 3330(b) of title Bentsen Gephardt McHale is objected to under clause 4 of rule Berman Gonzalez McIntyre 5, United States Code, is amended to read as fol- Berry Goode McKinney XV. lows: Blagojevich Gordon McNulty Such rollcall vote, if postponed, will ‘‘(b) The Office of Personnel Management Blumenauer Green Meehan be taken on Thursday, April 10, 1997. shall cause to be established and kept current— Bonior Gutierrez Meek f ‘‘(1) a comprehensive list of all announce- Borski Hall (OH) Menendez ments of vacant positions (in the competitive Boswell Hall (TX) Millender- VETERANS EMPLOYMENT service and the excepted service, respectively) Boucher Hamilton McDonald within each agency that are to be filled by ap- Brown (CA) Harman Miller (CA) OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1997 Brown (FL) Hastings (FL) Minge pointment for more than 1 year and for which Brown (OH) Hilliard Mink Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to applications are being or will soon be accepted Capps Hinchey Moakley suspend the rules and pass the bill from outside the agency’s work force; and Cardin Hinojosa Mollohan (H.R. 240) to amend title 5, United ‘‘(2) a comprehensive list of all announce- Clay Holden Moran (VA) States Code, to provide that consider- ments of vacant positions within each agency Clayton Hooley Murtha ation may not be denied to preference for which applications are being or will soon be Clement Hoyer Nadler accepted and for which competition is restricted Clyburn Jackson (IL) Neal eligibles applying for certain positions to individuals having competitive status or em- Condit Jackson-Lee Oberstar in the competitive service, and for Conyers (TX) Obey ployees of such agency, excluding any position Costello Jefferson Olver other purposes, as amended. required to be listed under paragraph (1).’’. Coyne John Ortiz The Clerk read as follows: (2) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—Section 3330(c) Cramer Johnson (WI) Owens H. 240 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by Cummings Johnson, E. B. Pallone Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (2), by Danner Kanjorski Pascrell redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4), Davis (FL) Kaptur Pastor resentatives of the United States of America in Davis (IL) Kennedy (MA) Payne Congress assembled, and by inserting after paragraph (2) the follow- ing: DeFazio Kennedy (RI) Pelosi SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. DeGette Kennelly Pickett ‘‘(3) for all positions under subsection (b)(1) as Delahunt Kildee Pomeroy This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Em- to which section 3304(f) applies and for all posi- DeLauro Kilpatrick Poshard ployment Opportunities Act of 1997’’. tions under subsection (b)(2), a notation as to Dellums Kind (WI) Price (NC) SEC. 2. EQUAL ACCESS FOR VETERANS. the applicability of section 3304(f) with respect Deutsch Kleczka Rahall (a) COMPETITIVE SERVICE.—Section 3304 of thereto; and’’. Dicks Klink Rangel title 5, United States Code, is amended by add- (3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 3330(d) Dingell Kucinich Reyes Dixon LaFalce Rivers ing at the end the following: of title 5, United States Code, is amended by Doggett Lampson Roemer ‘‘(f)(1) No preference eligible, and no individ- striking ‘‘The list’’ and inserting ‘‘Each list Dooley Lantos Rothman ual (other than a preference eligible) who has under subsection (b)’’. Doyle Levin Roybal-Allard been separated from the armed forces under (d) PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE UNITED Edwards Lewis (GA) Rush honorable conditions after 3 or more years of ac- STATES POSTAL SERVICE.— Engel Lipinski Sabo tive service, shall be denied the opportunity to (1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 1005 Eshoo Lofgren Sanchez compete for an announced vacant position with- of title 39, United States Code, is amended by Etheridge Lowey Sanders Evans Luther Sandlin in an agency, in the competitive service or the adding at the end the following: Farr Maloney (CT) Sawyer excepted service, by reason of— ‘‘(5)(A) The provisions of section 3304(f) of Fattah Maloney (NY) Schumer ‘‘(A) not having acquired competitive status; title 5 shall apply with respect to the Postal Fazio Manton Scott or Service in the same manner and under the same