DOCSLIB.ORG

Congressional Record—Senate S10335

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Congressional Record—Senate S10335 September 15, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð SENATE S10335 primary means of smuggling large amounts Is the Los Angeles Times report that there The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under of narcotics into the United States. were no cocaine seizures from trucks at the previous order, the Senator from In 1993, the then-District Director of the three or four of the busiest ports of entry on Arkansas is recognized to offer an Customs Service may have prevented inves- the Southwest border in 1994 and 1995 accu- tigators from the Inspector-General's office amendment relating to mining with rate, and, if so, what accounts for this? the time until 12:30 p.m. to be equally from conducting a surprise inspection of the Is Customs following up and adequately ``line release'' program at the southwest bor- using the intelligence which they gather? divided in the usual form. der, an investigation aimed at determining How vulnerable are Customs' communica- The Senator from Arkansas is recog- whether unauthorized trucks, potentially tion systems to penetration by drug smug- nized. carrying drugs, were allowed to cross the glers? Mr. BUMPERS. Madam President, border without inspection. What steps are Customs taking to address my colleagues will be greatly relieved The news program ``Dateline: NBC'' re- the problem of ``spotters'' (individuals who with my departure at the end of this cently filmed more than 35 trucks in just linger around ports of entry, radioing inspec- year because they won't have to listen four hours of surveillance belonging to com- tion patterns to smugglers on the other side to this debate anymore. They may panies on Customs' ``watch list'' for drug of the border)? How are these steps working? smuggling rolling right through Customs, have to listen to it again, but not from How are the Cargo search x-ray machines me. without being inspected. performing? It has been reported that the organization This amendment arises from a situa- It is imperative that we get to the bottom of recently-arrested Mexican drug kingpin of the problems at Customs, and I appreciate tion which really began last year, Juan Garcia Abrego has paid millions of dol- your assistance in this regard. Madam President. In order to set the lars to U.S. and Mexican law enforcement of- Sincerely, stage for it, I direct my colleagues' at- ficers. It seems inevitable that a substantial DIANNE FEINSTEIN, tention to this chart here. But before portion of that money has gone to Customs U.S. Senator. officials, as they are responsible for inter- doing so, let me just say that we had cepting drugs at the ports of entry along the Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I what I thought was a solemn agree- Mexican border. yield the floor. ment last year on this same issue. I As a Customs supervisor told the Washing- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- won't say it was a handshake contract, ton Post, ``Tons and tons of cocaine are ator from Alaska. but last year the Interior appropria- crossing the border, and we're getting very tions bill contained a provision that little of it.'' Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I The current pattern of drug flow and drug thank the Chair. As I understand it, we was added in the committee markup, enforcement into and within this country are in morning business? which said the Secretary of the Inte- must be changed. To better understand how The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- rior may not promulgate new regula- federal law enforcement approaches these ator is correct. tions for the mining of hard rock min- problems and the efficacy of federal pro- Mr. MURKOWSKI. I ask unanimous erals on Federal lands until every Gov- grams to curtail drugs, I am officially asking consent I be allowed to speak for up to ernor of 11 Western States had individ- the General Accounting Office to investigate ually agreed to it. drug enforcement by the Customs Service. 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without In 1976 we passed FLPMA, an acro- To target your resources, I ask that you nym for Federal Lands Policy Manage- focus initially on evaluating the Customs objection, it is so ordered. Service's drug enforcement operations at Mr. MURKOWSKI. I thank the Chair. ment Act, it was my second year in the Senate when we passed that, but I was Otay Mesa. After you have evaluated Otay (The remarks of Mr. MURKOWSKI per- Mesa, I would like to work with you to taining to the submission of (S. Res. very active in the negotiations and broaden this inquiry to the rest of the South- passage of that bill. It was a com- 276) are printed in today's RECORD west border. Specifically, I would appreciate prehensive bill that determined how all under ``Submission of Concurrent and your addressing the following questions re- Bureau of Land Management lands Senate Resolutions.'' garding Otay mesa: would be handled. In it we said that the Mr. MURKOWSKI. I suggest the ab- Does the Commissioner of Customs provide Secretary of the Interior is charged clear direction to Customs personnel regard- sence of a quorum. with the responsibility of ensuring that ing Customs' drug enforcement mission? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The on Bureau lands, no unnecessary and How have Customs' drug enforcement ef- clerk will call the roll. undue degradation would occur. forts been, or how will they be, affected by The assistant legislative clerk pro- their programs to facilitate trade and pas- Now, as my friend, the Governor of senger movement, including but not limited ceeded to call the roll. Florida, Lawton Chiles, who used to be to: line release; re-engineering primary pas- Mr. GORTON. Madam President, I our colleague, used to say on this floor, senger processing; and expanded access by ask unanimous consent that the order ``The mother tongue is English.'' You Mexican trucks to the U.S. pursuant to the for the quorum call be rescinded. cannot say it any better in English North American Free Trade Agreement The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. than to say the Secretary is hereby (NAFTA)? HUTCHISON). Without objection, it is so charged with the responsibility for How have the percentage rates of inspec- ordered. tions of trucks, cars, and ships by Customs making certain that there is no undue, changed over the last three years? f unnecessary degradation of Federal What increases in border crossings by CONCLUSION OF MORNING lands. trucks, cars and ships does Customs expect We have about 450 million acres of BUSINESS over the next several years? Does Customs Federal lands, and an awful lot of it is have a reasonable basis for the projections it The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning eligible to be mined for various has made? If Customs has not made such pro- business is closed. jections, why haven't they, and was any con- hardrock minerals, notably gold, plati- sideration given to making them? f num, silver, zinc, lead, you name it. So in 1980, the Secretary issued regula- Has Customs made adequate plans to meet DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR any expected increases in such border cross- tions to comply with FLPMA and in AND RELATED AGENCIES APPRO- ings? 1981 they were finalized and went into PRIATIONS ACT, 1999 What is the basis for Customs' allocation effect. Everybody applauded and said it of personnel resources for carrying out their The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under is wonderful. Now we have regulations drug enforcement responsibilities? Is this the previous order, the Senate will now in place that will govern mining com- basis reasonable? Have Customs' actual allo- cations of personnel matched their projec- resume consideration of S. 2237, which panies. tions? the clerk will report. What brought these regulations What are Customs' processes for training A bill (S. 2237) making appropriations for about? It was the first time we had their personnel in their drug enforcement re- the Department of the Interior and related ever tried to regulate mining on Fed- sponsibilities? agencies for the fiscal year ending Septem- eral lands. Why did we do it? Because Why are trucks on Customs' ``watch list'' ber 30, 1999, and for other purposes. at that very moment, there were 557,000 passing through without inspection? Is it The Senate resumed consideration of abandoned mines in this country. Who human error, corruption, systematic flaws, or something else, and in any case what is the bill. do you think had been left with the necessary to fix this? Do Customs personnel Pending: pleasure of cleaning up those 557,000 actually implement, on an operational level, Daschle amendment No. 3581, to provide abandoned mines? You guessed itÐ what Customs' law enforcement plans de- emergency assistance to agricultural produc- ``Uncle Sucker.'' The cleanup costs, ac- scribe that they do? ers. cording to the Mineral Policy Center, S10336 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð SENATE September 15, 1998 for those 557,000 mine sites is cal- each Western Governors had veto ing companies to mine on Federal culated to be between $32.7 billion and power over the revised regulations. lands with virtually no regulations to $71.5 billion. Within the 557,000 aban- That was, obviously, a little too much, guide them, being able to put up an in- doned mines, 59 of those are now Super- even for some of my friends in the sufficient bond, and when they take fund sites. We don't put things on the West, to stomach. bankruptcy and go south again, will Superfund list just for fun. That is a So Senator REID and I worked to- leave the taxpayers of America to pick big-time environmental disaster. In ad- gether in good faith and mutual friend- up the tab.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Matt Rosendale/Nrsc – Choice Fact Check
    MATT ROSENDALE/NRSC – CHOICE FACT CHECK OVERVIEW • Jon Tester, as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, has been a leader in working with the Trump Administration to secure our borders, and has fought tirelessly throughout his career to put more boots on the ground and deploy technology to secure the Northern and Southern borders. • Matt Rosendale has repeatedly opposed efforts to keep Montanans safe – he was called out by the Billings Gazette for being one of only seven state senators to vote against legislation to toughen penalties for human trafficking, voted against creating a permanent sexual assault prosecution office in the Montana Department of Justice, and voted against funding a service to notify victims or sex crimes when their attacker was released from prison. • Matt Rosendale is a multimillionaire East Cost real estate developer who moved to Montana after buying a $2 million trophy ranch that he doesn’t even ranch himself; he’s a political opportunist who has run for 5 offices in 8 years and who started his campaign with a “pants on fire” lie about Jon Tester’s record. Rosendale was hand- picked by Washington insiders and special interests; his campaign has been propped up by millions in dark money outside spending – he’ll do their bidding, not what’s best for Montana. CLAIM FACTS V/O: There's a JON TESTER HAS BEEN A LEADER IN EFFORTS TO WORK WITH THE TRUMP choice on ADMINISTRATION TO STRENGTHEN OUR BORDER SECURITY immigration. HEADLINE: “Tester Joins Bipartisan Group Working On Border Security Deal.” [MTPR, ON SCREEN: 1/24/18] THERE IS A CHOICE ON CNN: Jon Tester “Was One Of A Handful” Of Senators To Meet With Trump IMMIGRATION Administration Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen On Immigration Reform Negotiations.
    [Show full text]
  • Www. George Wbush.Com
    Post Office Box 10648 Arlington, VA 2221 0 Phone. 703-647-2700 Fax: 703-647-2993 www. George WBush.com October 27,2004 , . a VIA FACSIMILE (202-219-3923) AND CERTIFIED MAIL == c3 F Federal Election Commission 999 E Street NW Washington, DC 20463 b ATTN: Office of General Counsel e r\, Re: MUR3525 Dear Federal Election Commission: On behalf of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney as candidates for federal office, Karl Rove, David Herndon and Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc., this letter responds to the allegations contained in the complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (the “Commission”) by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc. The Kerry Campaign’s complaint alleges that Bush-Cheney 2004 and fourteen other individuals and organizations violated the Federal Election Campaign Act of 197 1, as amended (2 U.S.C. $ 431 et seq.) (“the Act”). Specifically, the Kerry Campaign alleges that individuals and organizations named in the complaint illegally coordinated with one another to produce and air advertising about Senator. Kerry’s military service. 1 Considering that no entity by the name of Bush-Cheney 2004 appears to exist, 1’ Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc. (“Bush Campaign”) presumes that the Kerry Campaign mistakenly filed its complaint against a non-existent entity and actually intended to file against the Bush Campaign. Assuming that the foregoing presumption is correct; the Bush Campaign, on behalf of itself and President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard B. Cheney, Karl Rove, David Herndon (the “Parties”), responds as follows: Response to Allegations Against President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard B.
    [Show full text]
  • 2000 Aviation Awareness Art Contest Winners
    MDT - Department of Transportation Aeronautics Divsion Vol. 51 No. 6 June 2000 2000 Aviation AwarenessP Art Contest Winners Once again our office received a great number of high quality entries for our Aviation Awareness Art contest. This years winners are Brent Bouma of Lin- coln, MT - grades 9-12 category, Crys- tal Dorne, Swan Lake, MT grades 5- 8 category and Ray Martin, Cut Bank, MT in the grades 1-4 category. Con- test winners along with their parents were flown to Helena on May 8, 2000 and presented with a trophy and plaque from Governor Marc Racicot, follow- ing the ceremony all were treated to lunch and a tour of the Helena Regional Airport before returning home. As the grand prize winner, Brent will be at- tending the annual Experimental Air- Pictured above winners Ray, Brent, Crystal and Samantha receive their awards from craft Association (EAA) Air Academy Governor Marc Racicot and Mike Ferguson from July 19-28, 2000 at Oshkosh, WI. This years 2nd and 3rd place winners are as follows: Category I Grades 1-4 2nd Brittany Yother, Helena, MT 3rd Patrick DeNitto, Florence, MT Category II Grades 5-8 2nd Samantha Dorne, Swan Lake, MT 3rd Kristy Sparks, Laurel, MT Category III Grades 9-12 2nd Morgan Kinney, Florence, MT 3rd Nellie Ballou, Helena, MT Our Congratulations goes out to all of Above Brent recieves his ribbon from Governor Racicot. Brents trip to the winners for the time and dedication they Oshkosh would not be possible without the generous donations from Montanas put into their artwork.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Committees" and Abide by Soft Men and Women He Served with in Money Restrictions
    Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law Volume 7 Issue 3 Issue 3 - Summer 2005 Article 6 2005 Bring it On: The High-Stakes Battle Over Whether the Courts, Congress or the FEC Should Muzzle Independent "527" Television Advertising Christopher G. Johnson Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/jetlaw Part of the Communications Law Commons, Election Law Commons, and the Marketing Law Commons Recommended Citation Christopher G. Johnson, Bring it On: The High-Stakes Battle Over Whether the Courts, Congress or the FEC Should Muzzle Independent "527" Television Advertising, 7 Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law 485 (2020) Available at: https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/jetlaw/vol7/iss3/6 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Vanderbilt Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law by an authorized editor of Scholarship@Vanderbilt Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The High- 'akes Battle Over Whether the Courts, Congress or the FEC Should Muzzle Independent "527" Television Advertising [ By Christopher G. lohnson*i ohn Kerry lied to get his Bronze Those who closely followed the 2004 Star. I know, I was there-I saw presidential election are familiar with the what happened."1 firestorm surrounding these controversial tele- "George Bush misled us vision ads. Last year's political advertising 2 into war with Iraq." brouhaha set the stage for the current, no- "John Kerry secretly met holds-barred battle over whether organiza- with enemy leaders in Paris- tions claiming tax exempt status under 26 though we were still at war."3 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Montana Highway Patrol Celebrates 75 Years of Service, 1935-2010 *Editor’S Note: This Is the Second in a Two Part Series Chron - Pay Issues
    009-016 Feature (color) 7/5/10 8:31 PM Page 9 Montana Trooper Montana Highway Patrol celebrates 75 years of service, 1935-2010 *Editor’s note: This is the second in a two part series chron - pay issues. Ultimately, the strike lasted less than a week, icling the proud 75 year history of the Montana Highway with the legislature offering a pay increase. On December Patrol. This second segment covers 1989 through 2010. 19, Officer Shawn Driscoll was involved in a shooting with a bank robbery suspect near Missoula. The suspect fired In 1989, Attorney General Marc Racicot took office, and multiple rounds at Officer Driscoll from an assault rifle, and Colonel Robert Griffith was promoted to chief administra - Officer Driscoll returned fire with his 9mm pistol, fatally tor of the Patrol. The retired patrolmen’s association merged injuring the suspect. Officer Driscoll was subsequently award - with the AMHP. Montanans enjoyed a 40 year traffic fatal - ed the Medal of Valor for his actions that day. ity low with 181 fatalities. In May, the AMHP initiated a In 1992, light blue Chevrolet Caprice patrol cars were scholarship program for member’s children. In again issued, and Officer Shawn Driscoll became April, Officer Mary Pat Murphy was wounded one of the first officers to have a video camera by a suspect driver who had shot and killed installed in his patrol car, purchased at his his passenger on US Highway 87 North, north own expense. Local DUI Task Force of Great Falls. While she eventually returned organizations also began purchasing to duty, her injuries later forced her early cameras for officers to document disability retirement several years later.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mccarran-Ferguson Act and Antitrust Immunity: Good for Consumers?
    S. HRG. 110–25 THE MCCARRAN-FERGUSON ACT AND ANTITRUST IMMUNITY: GOOD FOR CONSUMERS? HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION MARCH 7, 2007 Serial No. J–110–16 Printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary ( U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 35–166 PDF WASHINGTON : 2007 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate 0ct 09 2002 08:59 May 14, 2007 Jkt 035166 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 S:\GPO\HEARINGS\35166.TXT SJUD1 PsN: CMORC COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont, Chairman EDWARD M. KENNEDY, Massachusetts ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR., Delaware ORRIN G. HATCH, Utah HERB KOHL, Wisconsin CHARLES E. GRASSLEY, Iowa DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California JON KYL, Arizona RUSSELL D. FEINGOLD, Wisconsin JEFF SESSIONS, Alabama CHARLES E. SCHUMER, New York LINDSEY O. GRAHAM, South Carolina RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois JOHN CORNYN, Texas BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode Island TOM COBURN, Oklahoma BRUCE A. COHEN, Chief Counsel and Staff Director MICHAEL O’NEILL, Republican Chief Counsel and Staff Director (II) VerDate 0ct 09 2002 08:59 May 14, 2007 Jkt 035166 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 5904 Sfmt 5904 S:\GPO\HEARINGS\35166.TXT SJUD1 PsN: CMORC C O N T E N T S STATEMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS Page Leahy, Patrick J., Leahy, a U.S.Senator from the State of Vermont .................
    [Show full text]
  • Participation in Elections for President and Representatives— Percent of Voting-Age Population 276 Elections Political Campaig
    276 Elections Figure 8.1 Participation in Elections for President and Representatives— Percent of Voting-Age Population President U.S. Representatives Percent Percent 70 70 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 0 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 Source: Chart prepared by U.S. Bureau of the Census. For data, see Table 485. Figure 8.2 Political Campaign Receipts Democratic receipts, net Millions of dollars Republican receipts, net 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1981–82 1983–84 1985–86 1987–88 1989–90 1991–92 1993–94 1995–96 Source: Chart prepared by U.S. Bureau of the Census. For data, see Table 488. U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1998 Sep. 25, 1998 Section 8 Elections This section relates primarily to presiden- tial, congressional, and gubernatorial elec- In Brief tions. Also presented are summary tables on congressional legislation; state legisla- Percent of voting-age population tures; Black, Hispanic, and female office- voting for Representatives: holders; population of voting age; voter 1992. 50.8% participation; and campaign finances. 1994. 36.0% Official statistics on federal elections, col- Voter registration sources 1995–96: lected by the Clerk of the House, are Motor vehicle offices 33.1% published biennially in Statistics of the By mail 29.7% Presidential and Congressional Election Public assistance offices 6.3% and Statistics of the Congressional Elec- State designated sites 4.2% tion. Federal and state elections data ap- Disability services 0.4% pear also in America Votes, a biennial Armed Forces offices 0.2% volume published by Congressional Other 26.1% Quarterly, Inc., Washington, DC.
    [Show full text]
  • Educate, Involve & Mobilize for Peace and Justice
    Home Get Informed Actions & Events Get Involved News Room http://www.heatisonline.org/contentserver/objecthandlers/index.cfm?id=4241&method=full Calendar Flyers GOP to Bush: Keep Denying Climate Science Join SBM REPUBLICANS AIM FOR SOFTER, GREENER ENVIRONMENTAL Support SBM TALK About SBM South Bay Mobilization The New York Times, March 2, 2003 480 North First St, Suite 205 WASHINGTON -- Over the last six months, the Republican Party San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 998-8504 has subtly refocused its message on the environment, an issue Map to Office that a party strategist called "the single biggest vulnerability for the Republicans and especially for George Bush" in a E-mail: sbm@ memorandum encouraging the new approach. southbaymobilization.org Parking: The Republicans, as the memorandum advised them, have softened - On Empire St, or - If after 5pm, then park in their language to appeal to suburban voters, speaking out for the parking lot behind protecting national parks and forests, advocating investment Legal Aid Society Bldg. Park there anytime on in environmental technologies, and shifting emphasis to the weekends & holidays. future rather than the present. In interviews, Republican politicians and their aides said they agreed with the strategist, Frank Luntz, that it was important to pay attention to what his memorandum, written before the November elections, called "the environmental communications battle." In his memorandum, Luntz urges that the term "climate change" be used instead of "global warming," because "while 'global warming' has catastrophic communications attached to it, 'climate change' sounds a more controllable and less emotional challenge." Also, he wrote, "conservationist" conveys a "moderate, reasoned, common-sense position" while "environmentalist" has the "connotation of extremism." President George W.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Gubernatorial Overview: Democrats Rising
    This issue brought to you by 2018 Gubernatorial Overview: Democrats Rising APRIL 6, 2018 VOLUME 2, NO. 7 If you’re wondering about the relevance of gubernatorial elections to federal races, look no further than Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the These are the initial ratings for the chart. You’ll notice a “new” category at congressional map on the grounds that it was a partisan gerrymander. the end “Lean Independent.” Maybe put that below the column that has 2018 Gubernatorial Ratings theWhen least the ratings. Republican-held But we don’t Legislature need Tilt drewIndependent, a new map Likely to tryIndependent, to Toss-Up Solidconform Independent to the new since standards, that would Democratic be vacant. Gov. Tom Wolf declined to approve it, sending the map-making decision back to the court, which FL Open (Scott, R) ultimately chose a favorable DemocraticToss-Up map. FL Open (Scott, R) Tilt Democratic Tilt Republican This is one key reason why the 2018 gubernatorial elections matter. MI Open (Snyder, R) Rauner (R-Ill.) Walker (I-Alaska)* Not only will 36 states (includingNV Open nine (Sandoval, of the 10 R) largest) elect a person to MI Open (Snyder, R)# OH Open (Kasich, R) be in charge, but this class of governors will also be in place during the Tilt R NV Open (Sandoval, R)# next round of regularly-scheduled redistricting after the 2020 census. OHGovernors Open (Kasich, in 35 states R) have veto power over congressional maps, and 27 Lean Democratic Lean Republican of those states are on the ballot this year.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 105 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 105 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 144 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1998 No. 122 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was conferences there will be 10 minutes for THE SURPLUS IS SOCIAL called to order by the President pro closing remarks in relation to the SECURITY tempore (Mr. THURMOND). Bumpers amendment. At the expira- Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the tion of that time, approximately 2:25 proposals by House Republican leaders PRAYER p.m., the Senate will proceed to a vote to spend a major portion of the pro- The Chaplain, Dr. Lloyd John on or in relation to the amendment. jected budget surplus on tax cuts for Ogilvie, offered the following prayer: Following that vote, the Senate will the wealthiest citizens gives new mean- Dear Father, the psalmist's words continue consideration of the Interior ing to the word ``irresponsible.'' Any serve as our motto for today. ``This is bill. Members are encouraged to offer such cut would rob Social Security re- the day which the Lord has made. I and debate amendments during Tues- cipients of the retirement benefits they will rejoice and be glad in it.''ÐPs. day afternoon's session so the Senate have earned and deserve. Yet the House 118:24. You have all authority in heav- can make good progress on the Interior Republicans want to spend this ``sur- en and on earth. You are sovereign bill. The Senate may also consider any plus'' before it even materializes, in an Lord of our lives and of our Nation.
    [Show full text]
  • After Citizens United
    After Citizens United A Look into the Pro-Corporate Players in American Politics The Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC decided that the First Amendment right of free speech should apply with little distinction to both individuals and corporations. Since Buckley v. Valeo established money as a form of speech, the Court’s decision allows for corporations to donate unrestricted funds from their general treasuries to political organizations, effectively overturning decades of state and federal campaign finance laws. Fearing effects of greater corporate influence in American public life, Justice Stevens in his dissenting opinion warned that corporations can “amass and deploy financial resources on a scale few natural persons can match,” and are not “themselves members of ‘We the People’ by whom and for whom our Constitution was established.” Although corporations now have a constitutional right to contribute money to independent expenditure groups, these groups are not bound to publicly disclose the sources of their funding. Even though the majority opinion in Citizens United actually upheld Congress’s right to enact disclosure laws, claiming that such “transparency enables the electorate to make informed decisions” without “impos[ing] a chill on speech or expression,” 501 (c)4 and (c)6 organizations that do not disclose their financial backers are increasingly engaging in political work. While we do not know who is funding such organizations, we do know that the groups playing a larger role in the 2010 elections are overwhelmingly backing right-wing candidates. According to TIME¸ pro-Republican groups could spend as much as $300 million for the 2010 election.
    [Show full text]
  • Matt Rosendale/Nrsc Ad – Fact Check
    MATT ROSENDALE/NRSC AD – FACT CHECK OVERVIEW • Jon Tester, who recently had his 18th bill signed into law by President Trump, has been recognized by independent analysts and Montana newspapers as one of the most effective lawmakers working across the aisle to get things done for Montana. • Matt Rosendale, the handpicked candidate of Washington, DC special interests, has been propped up by millions of dollars in outside Super PAC spending and will do their bidding – not what’s best for Montana. • Jon Tester has been a leader in efforts to work with President Trump to strengthen our border security, including adding more border patrol agents to the border and bolstering terrorism prevention efforts. • Matt Rosendale has repeatedly opposed efforts to keep Montanans safe - he was one of only seven state senators to vote against legislation to toughen penalties for human trafficking and make the law more victim-centered, voted against creating a permanent sexual assault prosecution office in the Montana Department of Justice, and voted against funding a service to notify victims of sex crimes when their attacker was released from prison. • Matt Rosendale is a multimillionaire East Coast real estate developer who moved to Montana after buying a $2 million trophy ranch that he doesn’t even ranch himself and a political opportunist who started his campaign with a “pants on fire” lie about Jon Tester’s record. CLAIM FACTS TRUMP: A vote JON TESTER HAD 18 BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HAS BEEN for Jon Tester is PRAISED FOR WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE FOR MONTANA a vote for Chuck Schumer, Nancy HEADLINE: “Tester Named One Of Congress’ Most Effective Senators.” [Missoula Current, Pelosi.
    [Show full text]