H9194 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 1998 America goes to war, even a limited Congress’ war power is one of its My friend who deals with them on a war. It may well be that if this body most important and most basic respon- day-to-day basis told me that his judg- voted on military action against Yugo- sibilities. The American people have a ment of why they are so perplexed is slavia, we would support it overwhelm- right to expect Congress to do its job. because they have not been at the de- ingly. As my colleague, the gentleman from mocracy game as long as we have. But there is no doubt in my mind California (Mr. CAMPBELL), mentioned They have been under tyranny, the tyr- that attacks by U.S. forces, whether a few minutes ago, he and I have draft- anny of fascism and Communism, with- under NATO or not, against a sov- ed a letter to our colleagues urging sig- in their own lifetimes, and they know ereign nation, even if it is Milosevic’s nature on a letter to the President of that the miracle of this system of gov- Yugoslavia, constitute an act of war. the United States that the President ernment is not to be messed with. That Actions NATO may decide to take with respect that exclusive power in Con- is why they feel so strongly about what absolutely no congressional involve- gress and have the authority of Con- we are doing in this country is so ment could lead to an expensive, per- gress before military action may be wrong for the future of our constitu- haps lengthy involvement which, most taken against Yugoslavia. tional form of government. importantly, puts American lives at f As I was saying, in my opinion, what risk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a we are doing now by putting the cart There are legitimate policy questions previous order of the House, the gen- before the horse, so to speak, by saying Congress should ask about the kind of tleman from New York (Mr. HINCHEY) that we are going to have a prelimi- military involvement NATO is con- is recognized for 5 minutes. nary inquiry before we know what the templating. Would air strikes do any (Mr. HINCHEY addressed the House. definition of impeachment is, to me good? Against what kind of targets? If His remarks will appear hereafter in violates the fundamental process of due air strikes do not make Milosevic stop, the Extensions of Remarks.) process, where you know what the are we willing to send in ground forces f crime is before you begin to prosecute in a shooting war into the mountains it. of Kosovo? The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a The reason the majority wants to We may be over the Vietnam syn- previous order of the House, the gentle- vote on an impeachment inquiry before drome, but that conflict, in which I woman from California (Mrs. CAPPS) is they know what impeachment really is served, should remind us of one critical recognized for 5 minutes. is because they could never vote to ini- lesson for any military involvement: (Mrs. CAPPS addressed the House. tiate such an inquiry once they really that we should secure the Nation’s un- Her remarks will appear hereafter in knew what they were talking about. derstanding and support before major the Extensions of Remarks.) Once they knew what was really im- military action is taken. That is what f peachable, then we would have to ask military officers learned from Viet- THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION one more question: Is the impeachable nam, and that support is best assured DRUGS offense, such as perjury, is the im- peachable offense the kind of offense in when Congress debates and votes. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under The framers of the Constitution vest- which the President’s remaining in of- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- fice is worse for this country than the ed the war power in Congress for very uary 7, 1997, the gentleman from Texas good reason: Both as a check against excruciating process of impeachment (Mr. TURNER) is recognized for 60 min- precipitous action by a President and that it will take to remove the Presi- utes as the designee of the minority dent from office? as a way to be sure that the American leader. people, through their elected rep- We need wisdom to prevail over poli- Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. tics. We must see past the passions of resentatives, have been consulted be- Speaker, will the gentleman yield? fore the Nation goes to war. this moment and look to the true na- Mr. TURNER. I yield to the gen- ture of this offense, which in my opin- The framers placed the war power in tleman from Rhode Island. Congress because they saw it as an es- ion is better judged by God and family sential part of our democracy, reflect- BAD CONDUCT IS NOT GROUNDS FOR than by the Congress and the media. IMPEACHMENT ing the fact that it is the people’s lives What we have here is a reckless, em- and funds that are put at risk. They ex- Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. barrassing, personal act. It was wrong. pressly rejected the idea that this kind Speaker, I would like to thank the gen- The President was human in trying to of power should be entrusted to a sin- tleman for yielding. hide it, and that was wrong, too. None gle individual, the President. Mr. Speaker, I apologize that I was of this, however, shows that the Presi- Some people object that the Con- cut off but those are the Rules of the dent was on a course that was dan- stitution is inconvenient in this re- House and that is the nature of the gerous to the public. floor proceedings, but I did want to spect, that there is something wrong ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE with taking the relatively small conclude with my remarks because I The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. cannot emphasize enough to the people amount of time that would be needed EWING). The Chair would admonish the to secure Congress’ approval. The situ- in this Chamber, my colleagues watch- Member not to refer to the personal ation in Kosovo has been worsening for ing on TV and the American people at conduct of the President and to address months. The President has had plenty large, that this is no light matter that those outside the chamber. we have been talking about. of time to seek authorization from b 1445 Congress for military action, and he We seem to be taking such a cavalier still has time to do so. attitude to this, and I know that obvi- Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Our participation in NATO does not ously a lot has to do with the politics Speaker, that was not dangerous to the supersede Congress’ role in deciding of this season. I dare say, though, what future of this republic. It did not jus- about war. In fact, Congress condi- we are embarking on truly goes to the tify throwing this democracy into a tioned U.S. participation in NATO on nature of our whole form of govern- constitutional tailspin, and it will not the requirement that it retain its con- ment. justify it. Gifts, testimony, executive stitutional prerogatives. This point I just had the opportunity last week, privilege, all these things, do these jus- was underscored by then Secretary of as a member of the Committee on Na- tify paralyzing our constitutional form State Dean Acheson at the time the tional Security, to go to New York to of government? People say this is about a certain of- North Atlantic Treaty was ratified, listen to the President’s speech on fense, perjury, and we should not let who said, global terrorism, and I met many dip- lomats who have a working relation- anyone off the hook. But during the The treaty does not mean that the United ship with our allies, democracies Watergate scandal, President Nixon States would automatically be at war, even if one of the other signatory nations were around the world, in Europe and the perjured himself in his tax returns, and the victim of an armed attack. Under our former Soviet bloc countries, and all of this was dismissed, this was dismissed, Constitution, the Congress alone has the them are so perplexed about what is as not an impeachable offense. And power to declare war. going on here in this country. what about when Caspar Weinberger October 1, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9195 lied to this Congress about a secret ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE lesterol, Norvasc for common blood war? Remember the Iran contra scan- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The pressure medication, and Relafen, dal? When asked, Caspar Weinberger Chair would admonish all Members which provides relief from arthritis. said he had no details of such a mili- that they should avoid references to Prescription drug companies give tary offensive, no details whatsoever. the personal conduct of the President. these big discounts to managed care He lied to this Congress. Guess who Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise companies for these drugs, these same pardoned Caspar Weinberger? Repub- today to address an issue that is impor- 10 drugs and other drugs as well, and lican president George Bush, and he did tant to every senior citizen in our then other buyers, like pharmacists so at the behest of Senator Bob Dole, country, the problem of the increasing must pay substantially more for the who pushed him to pardon Caspar cost of prescription medications. This same drugs and then pass these higher Weinberger. is an issue that has been growing in in- costs on to seniors. I just want to make a concluding tensity in recent years as the costs of For example, my study found that Ticlid, one of the most widely pre- couple of thoughts: Joe McCarthy, re- drugs have gone up and up and up. scribed medications for people who member him? He used details of peo- A number of Members of this body have had strokes, sells to the HMOs for ple’s sex lives to extort cooperation have joined together to try to address around $34 for 60 tablets. Yet in my from them and from former com- this problem and to pass legislation area of the country the average pricing munists by threatening to expose what that would lower the cost of prescrip- that seniors pay for this drug them- happened in their bedrooms. tion medication. There are currently over 75 Members of this House who selves when they are buying it out of J. Edgar Hoover, remember J. Edgar their own pocket is more than $130, Hoover? He tried to get Martin Luther have joined in sponsoring legislation to deal with the high cost of prescription nearly a 300 percent markup over the King, Jr., to drop out of the civil rights price that the HMO pays. movement by sending Coretta Scott drugs. It is my pleasure to yield to one of the leaders in this effort to combat The huge difference in prices is not King a copy of an illegally obtained going to the retail pharmacist in Santa elicit tape recording. It is documented. the cost of prescription medication, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Barbara or Santa Maria or Arroyo Ken Starr has done the same thing. Grande. On average these local phar- Through his dump of lurid sexual de- CAPPS). I want to mention in passing that Lois is a proud new grandmother macists are paying $100 to $110 for the tails, he is trying to embarrass this same medication. The final price the of a five-week-old boy, Walter Holden president so much so that he disrupts seniors pay includes only a reasonable Brostrom, named after his grandfather, our whole constitutional form of gov- markup to the pharmacists and then Walter Holden Capps, a former member ernment by forcing him to resign. To they are bearing the burden of the prof- me, this amounts to simply sexual of this body. The gentlewoman has been a hard it that is going to the HMOs. McCarthyism. That seniors are paying more money worker on behalf of those who are The bottom line is this: I would say for drugs than they should while HMOs fighting the high cost of prescription that the majority needs to heed the reap profits is based partly on the huge medication. She has a background in words of your own party. President discounts they get from the drug com- nursing, and, as the representative of Gerald Ford was featured in the Hill panies. But there is an even sadder the 22nd district of California, it is my Newspaper last week. You recall what story. Many seniors simply cannot af- honor to yield to the gentlewoman he said? He said an impeachable offense ford these high prices because of the from California (Mrs. CAPPS). fixed incomes they are living on, so is whatever a majority of the House of Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I want to they have done a variety of things, Representatives considers it to be at a thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. given moment in history. such as taking half the prescription or TURNER). Of course, you warm my choosing of the several prescriptions But that is only what Gerald Ford heart by talking about my grandson. It meant with respect to a judge. He was that are needed for their life for life is a point of reference that I have with and death issues in many cases, or for asked to clarify his comments and many grandparents throughout my apply them to a president of the United the quality of life that they want or for Congressional district. It is with their their relief from pain and discomfort, States, and I want everyone to listen faces in my mind’s eye and with their to me, because they are so misunder- and they end up just taking part of the stories in my heart that I rise today to medications that the doctors prescribe. standing what President Ford said. speak about what I consider to be a President Ford added that the removal I have a couple of examples that I real scandal going across this country will share with you. Clyde Vann of of a duly-elected president in midterm that I have uncovered in my Congres- ‘‘Would indeed require crimes of the Pismo Beach told my staff he pays over sional District out on the central coast $300 a month for seven prescription magnitude of treason and bribery.’’ of California. Mr. Speaker, we have a constitu- drugs, and he really needs to be taking Seniors throughout the area are, we two additional medications, but that tional debate here, and I will venture are finding out, paying outrageously would add an extra $150 to his monthly to say that in my whole time in the high prices for their prescription drugs. costs. He is on a fixed income, and he United States Congress, I will not cast Even worse, these inflated prices are just cannot take these two other medi- a more important vote in my whole subsidizing the very discounts that cations that he really needs to be tak- time in Congress than the vote I cast high profit HMOs get for these very ing. next Monday against moving this coun- same medications. Harriet MacGregor of Santa Barbara try down such a reckless course that A report we have released gives to told my staff that because of the high will imperil this republic and perma- the public our study, which uncovers cost of her five prescriptions, she must nently damage this Constitution and this fact in my Congressional District sometimes skip or reduce her dosage. the definition of what is an impeach- and gives the reason why some of these This is not the kind of health care we able offense. costs are so high. There are very star- want to be providing for seniors in our In my mind, this is a sacrosanct doc- tling findings. I know the gentleman country. They should not have to sub- ument, and what is sacred in it is it is from Texas (Mr. TURNER) is going to go sidize the profits of the HMOs. They only used in those most extreme cir- into detail with the charts he has that should not have to choose between fill- cumstances. To me, this inquiry does show him the kinds of studies done in ing their prescription or buying food or not rise to that level and threshold, his district as well. paying the rent. and, for that reason, I encourage all Seniors in California on the central So I was proud to sign onto the legis- my colleagues to join with me and put coast are paying on the average 133 lation of the gentleman from Texas politics aside and say what is right for percent more for the 10 drugs most (Mr. TURNER) last week to address this the Constitution, and that is to stand commonly used by seniors. This is 133 issue. H.R. 4646 will allow pharmacies with the Constitution and vote against percent more than the HMOs are pay- the opportunity to receive the same any inquiry down this maddening road. ing at the discounted rates they get for discounts that HMOs get for the drugs I thank the gentleman from Texas these very same prescriptions. These that they dispense to seniors. I believe (Mr. TURNER) for yielding to me. are drugs like Zocor, which reduce cho- that this is a long overdue measure. H9196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 1998 I am happy to yield back now. I want Social Security. The skyrocketing others that have joined with him, and to continue the discussion at some prices for prescription drugs are it is an honor to have the gentleman point about what is happening also in unabated and they are hitting the sen- here to talk about this issue that he parts of our country that are rural ior citizens of our country very, very has worked so long and hard on. areas and where the reimbursement hard. I yield to the gentleman from Maine rate to the HMOs from Medicare is so Many of our seniors are on fixed in- (Mr. ALLEN). little that the HMOs are pulling out be- comes, and when they have to pay Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my cause of their inability to make a prof- higher prices for prescription drugs, ob- friend and colleague for yielding. I it in our rural areas. This is a double viously they have less money for food, want to say to the gentleman from whammy for our seniors. It is giving to pay for their heating bills, to pay Texas (Mr. TURNER) that I appreciate them now fewer options for their their property tax or to pay their rent, his organizing this Special Order today health care in general, and also then if that is the case, and to accommodate and for his leadership on this particu- when they do just have Medicare and some of their other vital needs for lar issue. then have to pay the full price, they their own well-being. Seniors are pay- I found, as many of us have back in are running into this problem that you ing too much in higher prices for pre- our districts as we travel around and and we have uncovered. scription drugs than HMOs and other talk to seniors, that the high price of The other thing that is interesting to most-favored-customers who buy drugs prescription drugs comes up at every me is that I have done this study on in large quantities at a discount. meeting of seniors. It does not matter the central coast of California, the gen- In my district in Indianapolis, we did where we are or who we are talking to. tleman lives in Texas, we have other do a survey among the drugstores on As long as there is a senior in the Members of Congress from Maine, from drug prices based on the widely used room, it seems, this subject will come Arkansas, from around the country, common drugs. Albuteral, a common up, particularly if we give people an and we know that this is going on all inhaler, costs as much as $18.35 in some opening. too many places right now. stores, twice as much as at the cheap- There are some reasons for that. Sen- So it is something we want to ad- est store. HMOs can charge much less. iors use one-third of all prescriptions in this country. While the average dress. I am pleased that the gentleman b 1500 has this time on the floor this after- American under age 65 uses only 4 pre- noon and we can be talking about this The drug, I think it is Vicodin, varies scriptions a year, the average senior very serious issue. between 39 cents and $2.34 per dose in uses 14 prescriptions a year. In particu- I will turn it back to the gentleman Indianapolis. lar, older Americans suffer more from now and am prepared to talk a little These high prices are feeding drug those chronic conditions such as hyper- bit more later on. companies’ growing profits. Our phar- tension, diabetes, arthritis, glaucoma Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank macists are complaining that when and circulatory problems that require the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. they obtain these items, that the the taking of regular prescription CAPPS). We appreciate her strong lead- major cost is theirs to pay and they drugs. ership on this very important issue. have to pass along those costs to the When Medicare was created in 1965, it Another leader in the fight to lower senior citizens at a very limited profit. was designed as a system of acute care, the cost of prescription medications for It is just plain wrong for drug compa- so it did not cover prescription drugs. our senior citizens is the gentlewoman nies to be charging the high prices in Now, the number of hospital beds is from the 10th District of Indiana (Ms. behalf of our Nation’s senior citizens. shrinking, people are not spending as CARSON). The gentlewoman, I know That is why I join the gentleman from much time in the hospital, and they from talking to her, knows firsthand Texas (Mr. TURNER) and the gentle- are not there because of advancements the problems that seniors are facing, woman from California (Mrs. CAPPS) in prescription drugs, and yet 37 per- because I have talked to her many and other colleagues in introducing cent of all seniors have zero coverage times about how she represents her dis- H.R. 4646, the Prescription Drug Fair- for prescription drugs. trict, and she works at the grassroots, ness Act. We all know that the prices have so I know she has got some interesting As my colleagues know, the legisla- been going up at a rapid rate. The stud- insight on this issue. tion will allow retail pharmacies to ies that have now been replicated in a Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank buy medications commonly used by number of districts are very revealing. the very distinguished colleague from senior citizens directly from the Fed- Last June I requested that the Com- Texas for yielding, and I want to com- eral General Services Administration. mittee on Government Reform and mend the gentleman for his insight and GSA is able to buy prescription medi- Oversight staff investigate whether foresight in bringing this vital issue cations at much lower prices than indi- pharmaceutical companies are taking not only to the United States House of viduals, allowing our pharmacists to advantage of older Americans because Representatives, but to the ears and pass on the savings to senior citizens. of the high price of prescription drugs. eyes of America, because it is impera- No one should be forced to choose be- There is a recent statement in a report tive that the American people under- tween buying food or medicine, least of on the pharmaceutical industry which stand that the Congress is in fact con- all our senior citizens to whom we owe reads, ‘‘Drugmakers have historically cerned about their well-being, espe- so much. So I would urge my col- raised prices to private customers to cially those who are recipients of Medi- leagues to join me in cosponsoring this compensate for the discounts they care at this particular time, the senior legislation. I would encourage the lead- grant to managed care companies. This citizens of our country. ership to set it on the calendar for practice is known as cost-shifting.’’ Mr. Speaker, I rise today again, hearing and for ultimate passage. Let I understand that the studies that along with my distinguished col- us do something important for a have now been replicated in our dis- leagues. It is kind of difficult to follow change, especially in behalf of our sen- tricts around the country are the first the eminence of my colleague the gen- ior citizens. studies to quantify the extent of price tleman from Texas (Mr. TURNER), and I am more than happy to yield to the discrimination and how it affects sen- certainly the gentlewoman from Cali- gentleman from Texas (Mr. TURNER). iors. The study investigated the prices fornia (Mrs. CAPPS). The senior citizens Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank of the 10 brand name drugs with the are very privileged to have this kind of the gentlewoman for her support on highest sales to the elderly. Ticlid, representation in the Congress that is this important issue and for her leader- Zocor, Fosamax, Prilosec, Norvasc, very sensitive to their needs. ship. Relafen, Procardia XL, Cardizem CD, Of course, I rise, being on the verge Another Member of the House that Zoloft and Vasotec. of being a senior citizen, I would like has taken a very prominent role of The study looked at the price dif- to announce in the beginning I prob- leadership on this issue is the gen- ferential between what seniors pay ably have a conflict of interest, be- tleman from Maine (Mr. ALLEN). The when they walk into a local pharmacy cause I want my medication affordable gentleman is a sponsor of legislation to and what the best customers of the when I advance to the age of requiring deal with this issue, along with many pharmaceutical companies pay. And October 1, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9197 the best customers are big HMOs, the and others have introduced. These two ment. Because the GSA is one of the Federal Government, like the VA. The pieces of legislation are complemen- entities that is able to purchase these study found in my district, and it is tary, not competitive. We believe that prescription medications at much pretty much the same I believe in the the legislation will drive down the cost lower prices, this procedure will allow district of the gentleman from Texas of prescription drugs for seniors by pharmacists to pass on significant cost (Mr. TURNER) and in the district of the over 40 percent. savings to our senior citizens. gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Mr. Speaker, it is too late in this ses- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to CAPPS), that seniors pay 105 percent of sion to have this bill become law, but I support this concept, and I congratu- the price, on average, that the drug can tell my colleagues this: We are late the gentleman from Texas (Mr. companies’ most favored customers going to be back next year. This issue TURNER) for his foresight in working on get. will not go away. this issue, and all of the other cospon- Now, for comparison purposes, one We need to do something about the sors who have joined, such as the gen- thing is clear: That is, the markup or high cost of prescription drugs, and tlewoman from California (Mrs. the price discrimination on prescrip- what our legislation would do, without CAPPS), to make sure that we lift this tion drugs is far higher than it is on adding to the Federal budget, without issue up to our Nation’s consciousness other consumer goods. In fact, the fixing prices, we would put the Federal and that as soon as possible we try to price differential is about 5 times Government on the side of every senior provide some relief for our seniors in greater than the average price differen- buying pharmaceutical drugs. And if the purchase of their much-needed pre- tial for other consumer goods. we do that, the buying power of the scription drugs. Now, I wanted to say a couple of Federal Government is strong enough I thank the gentleman for yielding, things about the pharmacists, because to compensate for the high prices and I again congratulate him for the one of the things we found in the study charged by the pharmaceutical compa- hard work that he has done in pursuing is that the high price of prescription nies, to drive down the cost of prescrip- this issue. drugs is not the fault of pharmacies. tion drugs and really give our seniors a Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Whether one is a chain drugstore or a chance to eat the food they are sup- the gentleman. The gentleman has local pharmacy, the markup is on aver- posed to eat and still take the medica- given outstanding leadership not only age 3 and at times all the way up to 22 tion that their doctors tell them they to this issue but to many others on be- percent, but more often it is a reason- have to take. half of the people of his district, and able markup of 3, 4, 5, 6 percent. In Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. his support means a great deal to this fact, it is the large pharmaceutical I am very pleased to have been here issue. I thank the gentleman for his companies that are driving up the today. part in this Special Order. prices. Drug manufacturers makes 6 Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank I would like to yield once again to times more profit on prescriptions than the gentleman for his strong leadership the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. retail pharmacies. on this very, very important issue. CAPPS). Mr. Speaker, I think that we obvi- Another Member of this body who Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank ously have to do something about this, has worked hard on this particular the gentleman for yielding to me and I and I am pleased that the release of a issue is the gentleman from Georgia thank the gentleman from Georgia report in my district showed what it (Mr. BISHOP), from the Second District (Mr. BISHOP) for his support. I want to did, that the study has been replicated of Georgia. I would like to yield to the echo that it is now becoming clear, as in districts around the country. This is, gentleman. we are taking part in these Special Or- as we well know, a nationwide problem, Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise ders, how widespread this has become not just a local problem. today as a cosponsor of H.R. 4646, in certain areas of our country. Despite the very important contribu- which is a bill to provide for substan- To pick up on a theme that the gen- tions that the pharmaceutical compa- tial reductions in the price of prescrip- tleman from Texas (Mr. ALLEN) men- nies have made in improving the qual- tion drugs for Medicare beneficiaries. tioned when we talked about the ter- ity and the effect of prescription drugs, Mr. Speaker, this is a time when sen- rible choices that seniors have to the fact remains, bring it down right to iors seem to be taking the brunt of the make, as we have done our studies and the grassroots level. The gentleman cuts in health care costs, specifically as we have been engaged with the sen- knows, the gentlewoman knows, I in areas such as home health care and iors in our own districts, as I have, and know people in our district who get venipuncture. So I am honored to sup- their faces come to my mind as I am about $600 or $700 a month in a Social port legislation that would make pre- standing here on the floor of Congress, Security check and that is all they scription drugs affordable for our sen- the people who have come up to me have, and a good number of them are iors. with real fear and pain in their eyes paying $100, $200, $300 a month are for Today our parents and our grand- about what they are facing on a daily prescription drugs. parents are being forced to pay much basis. It is a shame, because the part of The math does not work. They can- steeper prices for prescription drugs health care that seniors value the most not pay for food and rent and other ne- than the so-called most favored cus- is their ability to get their medications cessities and still pay the cost of their tomers of drug companies, such as that keep them alive in many in- prescription drugs. So what do they do? HMOs, large hospital chains, and in- stances, that really prolong the kind of They do not take the drugs that their deed the Federal Government. This is health that they now have become ac- doctors tell them they have to take. wrong. These entities are able to buy customed to because of the advances in That is the bottom line. Seniors in this drugs at discounted prices, and drug medicine. country are not taking the drugs that companies subsequently raise their It is to the pharmaceutical compa- their doctors tell them they have to prices to seniors and others who pay nies, for the research they have done, take. for needed prescriptions for them- that we owe the advances in medicine Vi Karion from Maine traveled down selves. for many of our seniors, so that they to our press conference last week and A Federal study that was initiated by can keep their blood pressure under she spoke of her difficulties and those the gentleman from Texas (Mr. TURN- control and their cholesterol level of her friends and neighbors. She gets ER), who was the originator of this bill, down, and their arthritis aches and about $900 a month from Social Secu- and we congratulate him, asserts that pains are not incapacitating our sen- rity, but cannot afford supplemental our senior citizens are paying twice iors as they once were. coverage for her prescription medica- what the most favored customers are b tion and she cannot always afford all of paying. This bill provides the solution 1515 her prescription drugs. to the problem by creating a level play- What a shame that right now, in this That is why I introduced the Pre- ing field. It allows retail pharmacies to day and age, when we have the re- scription Drug Fairness For Seniors buy medications used by senior citizens sources to give them, that they are Act, very similar to the bill that the directly from the General Services Ad- being asked to bear the burden of dis- gentleman from Texas (Mr. TURNER) ministration of the Federal Govern- counted prices. H9198 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 1998 In other words, what the drug compa- over and said, I am just glad that my mother having to make that kind of a nies are coming back to us with after pharmacist will give me credit. I still choice. they see our studies is saying, this said to her, but if you have $540 in pre- I know that when I went to the White sounds like price-fixing. But what we scription drug bills every month and House Conference on Aging as a dele- know from our studies is that what the you only have $650 from social secu- gate in 1995, I heard the plea of the drug companies are doing is cost-shift- rity, how do you live? And she leaned 2,500 or so elderly people who were ing. That is what we need to address. over to me in that proud sort of way, there as designees from all over the They are shifting the costs in the and said, well, sometimes I just take United States asking that we keep savings that they are giving to large half my medication. those programs in place; that Congress, buyers, such as the insurance compa- Now, no senior citizen should have to and I was not a Member of Congress nies, such as the HMOs, they are shift- make that choice. That is why we are then, but that we keep those programs ing the cost from this large entity onto here today. in place that would help them keep the backs of individual seniors in my Mrs. CAPPS. The gentleman is abso- their dignity and their independence, district in California; in the district of lutely right. so they would be able to continue to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. NICK Mr. TURNER. That is why we have live at home and not be a burden either LAMPSON); in the the district of the introduced this bill. I appreciate so on their children or on society. gentleman from Texas (Mr. TURNER); in much the gentlewoman’s leadership on It is strange to me that we continue Maine, in Arkansas, in Indianapolis. this. to enact, or try to deenact, if you will, We are seeing this is happening across Mr. Speaker, I yield to my dear so many things that are putting so the country. friend and colleague, the gentleman many of these folks into troubled Mr. Speaker, that is why we need to from the 9th District of Texas (Mr. times, as the gentleman from Texas stand here today on behalf of these sen- NICK LAMPSON), another leader in the just spoke of, such as the woman who iors and speak out for them and for the fight to help our senior citizens. may not be able to live in her home if fear that they are experiencing, and Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank she cannot take the full amount of the the choices they are making between the gentleman for yielding to me. medicine that the doctor says is nec- buying food for their tables or buying Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support essary to keep her health good for her the medication that will prolong their of the Prescription Drug Fairness Act. quality of life as she reaches those lives. I really want to thank the gentleman golden years, that are longer today Actually, when we think of the cost, from Texas (Mr. TURNER) for the hard than what they used to be, that we are the cost of a senior then becoming ill work that he has done on this ex- so proud of. But if we cannot enjoy because they are not able to take their tremely important piece of legislation. those days, why live them? medication, and having to go into a Obviously, we hope it is a success, and That is not a question that our sen- high-skilled nursing facility, is much a big success, along the way. iors need to be asking. They are paying more of a burden on their families, on I say to the gentleman from Texas too high a price, in many instances, as themselves, and on society, really. So (Mr. TURNER), as I was growing up, elderly folks, and even oftentimes we we are wise to take note of this and do thinking back to the time that I was in are, ourselves. Drug companies charge something about it. It is not price-fix- Beaumont as a kid and knowing that I seniors on an average, I think the gen- ing, it is cost-sharing. That is what we lived probably about a mile or so from tleman said earlier, 103 percent more want to make sure, that the seniors are the pharmacy that we used, the High- than they charge their most favored not bearing an overburden of the price land Avenue Pharmacy, I know the re- customers. of the prescriptions that they need to lationship we built with the Masons, I looked at the chart that the gen- be making. who owned and ran that drugstore. I applaud the gentleman from Texas tleman has there. I have a copy here. I I remember that when we were sick, look across to some medicine that I (Mr. TURNER) again for the work that my mother could call them. They he is doing for the seniors of our coun- have to take. I have a stomach problem would send a prescription to our home try, really. I am a proud co-signer of and I take Prilosec. I want to ask the in instances when we could not get the gentleman’s bill, and on the efforts gentleman a question. there, and there were some difficult that are going on around the country. From what I understand here, if I can Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank times in our own family when I was buy, as a favored customer, my bottle the gentlewoman from California, and I growing up that would prevent us from of Prilosec that I have to buy every thank her again for sharing her in- driving even that mile to pick up a pre- month and I pay $58.38 for it, if I go to sight. I guess it is the gentlewoman’s scription from the pharmacist. my pharmacy at home in Texas I have nursing background that causes her to I knew if my mother needed to, in- to pay, for this same bottle, $107.97? be so very sensitive to what we all see stead of sending me to a doctor and Mr. TURNER. The gentleman is cor- when we go out in our districts and spending that extra $5 or $10 or what- rect. talk about this issue. It is the seniors ever she might have had to spend on Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, if the who are having trouble just making me or my sisters or brothers, that she gentleman will continue to yield, that ends meet, who are faced with these could sometimes pick up the phone and is a 90 percent difference. What the high costs of prescription medications call Mr. Mason and ask a question, and gentleman is saying is that for this that we are trying to help here today. get some advice about what we might bottle that I am holding in my left I had a lady come up to me in Or- need to do. There were instances where hand I have to pay $58.38, but for the ange, Texas, as I was talking about that relationship saved a significant bottle that I am holding in my right this legislation at one of my local amount of money. hand I have to pay $107.97. That does pharmacies, a lovely lady named I know that as we face similar prob- not make logical sense to me. Frances Staley. She happened to be lems today with pricing of pharma- When I look at the problems that I blind. She was very a proud lady, and ceuticals, we are in many instances know that my own mother faces in at- she was telling me about how impor- losing that ability to have that rela- tempting to face these same decisions, tant she thought this issue was and tionship with our neighborhood phar- I have a hard time accepting it, not how much she supported what we are macist, with the people who provide just for her, but for all of the people in trying to do. much more than just an opportunity to this country. I began to ask her about her situa- retail-sale drugs to the people in the Our neighborhood pharmacies may be tion. She told me that she has $650 a neighborhoods. put out of business because of these month in social security. That is her I absolutely imagine the choices, the pricing practices. That is something total check. She told me that she has difficult choices that a loved one, per- that we all have to be concerned about. $540 worth of prescription drug bills haps my own mother, would have to It will make senior citizens’ lives every month. She has nine different face, as the gentleman was talking worse, because they will not be able to medications that she has to take. about a minute ago, when they were depend on their neighborhood phar- We were standing there, with her faced with the choice of buying medi- macies for advice or even personal pharmacy over there, and she looked cine or buying food. I do not want my care. October 1, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9199 All of these other figures that the ership, and the leadership which the that seniors not be disadvantaged when gentleman has cited, that the gen- gentleman from Maine (Mr. ALLEN), they buy drugs and that we will use the tleman has put together through his the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. buying power of the Federal Govern- study, are impressive, but they are also CAPPS), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. ment to make sure they get that pre- absolutely frightening. The Prescrip- LAMPSON), and so many others have ferred price as well as other citizens. tion Drug Fairness Act would protect given to this very question. The way that this has been portrayed older Americans from this type of dis- It is so unfair that our seniors are here today with the charts, with the criminatory pricing. The legislation paying, on average, we have found, all demonstration of just showing right will create a level playing field by al- across the country, twice as much for hand to left hand the same pharma- lowing retail pharmacies to buy medi- prescription drugs as those who are ceuticals, but someone is left holding cation used by senior citizens directly being treated in a more favorable light the bag, and it is usually our most vul- from the General Services Administra- by the pharmaceutical manufacturers. nerable people, our seniors who do not tion, the GSA of the Federal Govern- This is an issue that affects Amer- want to be on welfare. ment. ican seniors all across this Nation. Most of them are not on welfare. Since the General Services Adminis- There is very little variation between They have played by the rules. They tration is able to purchase prescription what we have found in one part of this paid throughout their working years medication at much lower prices, at country as opposed to another. We see for the Medicare program. When they those favored prices, then pharmacists all over our seniors being asked to pay need that program and are relying on will be able to pass on a significant the most for these drugs. it, we should not leave them adrift cost savings to our senior citizens. Of course, the reason they have to when it comes to high pharmaceutical Again, our senior citizens should not pay the most for drugs is that each prices. We ought to be there to protect ever have to choose between their senior goes individually to buy drugs. them. health or other necessities. They do not have anybody acting on If we are not going to cover drugs, at One more time, it is the difference their behalf the way that the veterans least we ought to assure them that, between the price of the bottle that I have through the Veterans Administra- when they buy those pharmaceuticals, hold in my right hand or the price of tion, or the people in managed care they are going to pay a preferred price the bottle that I hold in my left hand. plans have, when those managed care and not an unfair price. I think we need to pass this legislation plans step in and negotiate a better I want to commend the gentleman. I for the sake of all America. I thank the price for all of their members who have think this is an important opportunity gentleman. I appreciate the great work drug coverage, or what we have even on the House floor to bring this issue he has been doing. I hope to be able to done for Medicaid recipients who have home to people. It is the kind of issue stand by the gentleman and continue prescription drug coverage. people care about. So often here in to make a success of this bill. On Medicare, our Medicare bene- Washington we are talking about Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank ficiaries do not have prescription drug things that I do not think most Ameri- the gentleman from Texas (Mr. coverage under Medicare. I wish they cans think affect their lives in any LAMPSON). I thank him for his leader- did. It is a logical thing for them to way. But this issue affects every senior ship. have that coverage. Medicare covers and their family members in every part It is hard to understand how that doctor bills, hospital bills, all sorts of of this country. same bottle of medication can cost $58 other services, medical services. But This is the kind of thing we ought to when it is sold to the big HMOs and the when it comes to prescription drugs be dealing with, just like we should be big hospitals and the insurance compa- that they use on an outpatient basis, dealing with the protections for people nies, and yet our senior citizens, walk- Medicare will not cover it. Each person who are in HMOs or managed care to be ing into their local pharmacies, are has to come in individually and pay the sure that they are not taken advantage having to pay $107. It is just not right. price. of, that they have their rights pro- I thank the gentleman for his leader- The manufacturers of these drugs tected as consumers. We ought to be ship on this. have found that in order to keep their addressing issues like this. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the profits up when they have to give a dis- We have only got 1 week left here in gentleman from California (Mr. WAX- count to others, they just raise the the Congress. We are going to go home MAN) personally for his leadership as price higher for individual seniors, at the end of this next week without the ranking Democrat on the Commit- often elderly women. Most people on passing a Patients’ Bill of Rights for tee on Government Reform and Over- Medicare are women, and they are the managed care, without addressing this sight in initiating with our minority ones who have to pay that price. pharmaceutical pricing issue, without staff the studies that many of us have We have heard the story today, and doing anything about protecting our been able to do in our own districts, to all Members of Congress have heard it kids from being the subject of the to- point out the problem that we are talk- from our constituents, how the elderly bacco companies’ campaigns to get ing about here today. are forced to choose between paying them to smoke at 12 and 13 years of I thank the gentleman from Califor- their rent, their food bill, their heating age, without probably the most impor- nia for his leadership on this issue, for bill, or their pharmaceutical costs. tant thing, passing legislation to re- the many years he has been working on A lot of people go without taking form our campaign finance system, this cause. their drugs, or try to take them every which, without the reform in that area, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield to other day, or cut the drugs in half and leads to the inordinate power of special the honorable gentleman from the 29th make them last longer. Many of them interest groups like the tobacco com- District of California (Mr. HENRY WAX- end up in hospitals because they get panies, like the insurance companies, MAN), the ranking member of our Com- sicker as a result of not taking the and like the pharmaceutical manufac- mittee on Government Reform and pharmaceuticals that can keep them turers. Oversight, a leader on health care healthy. Then the government pays a I commend the gentleman for his issues for many years, and another lot more money under Medicare for leadership and for taking this oppor- Member of this body who has for many, their hospital bills. tunity on the House floor for many of many years been a leader in the fight It does not make sense, and I think us to speak on the issue. to try to lower the cost of prescription that the approach that the gentleman Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, if the medication for senior citizens. has taken and others have taken in gentleman will yield, one of the points Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank trying to address this problem is very, that the gentleman from California the gentleman very much for yielding very important. (Mr. WAXMAN) made is we continue to to me. see the direction go like this where it b Mr. Speaker, I want to underscore 1530 is harder and harder for seniors to the importance of this special order The approach that is taken in the meet the demands that they have on this afternoon in the House of Rep- legislation is to say that we are going the medicines that they need to buy resentatives, and the gentleman’s lead- to insist as a function of government and they make choices and not take all H9200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 1998 of their medicine or not take the medi- health care costs hit them after they in the last column the price differen- cine at all, ultimately they will end up paid into this Medicare program during tial. probably going back into institutional- their working years, and we leave them As the gentleman said, it was 90 per- ized care. vulnerable to such high out-of-pocket cent for the drug that you take. The The gentleman from California just costs for their prescription drugs that average of all of these 10 commonly mentioned a number of things that we they will not be able to afford their prescribed prescription drugs in my are facing right now, balancing our drugs or other necessities. district was 103 percent. budget, passing appropriations bills we Some people cannot even afford to We have heard others here today say have not yet done. What are we going pay their Medicare Part B premium. it was 105 percent in their district, but, to have to be doing in the future if we They are like people who are not even roughly, senior citizens are paying see an increase in the number of people in Medicare Part B because of the high twice for prescription medication than who are going back into institutional- cost of that, or they cannot go out and what the drug manufacturers are ized care, not being able to stay at buy supplemental insurance because of charging their most favored customers. home and take care of themselves? the cost of that added onto everything We talked about this in my district Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the else they have to pay for. in a series of about 25 little meetings I gentleman will yield, one of the short So we ought to recognize that, while had with pharmacists all across my 19 sides of this in the way that we ap- we have done a great job in this coun- counties. I want to make it very clear proach these problems is we look at the try reducing the poverty levels of el- today, and it is shown on this third cost of hospital care under Medicare, derly people which used to be the sin- chart that I have, that the problem is which is extraordinarily high, and we gle largest group under the poverty not a problem created by our local do not connect it to the fact that we line, we still have a lot of people who pharmacies. It is the drug manufactur- have caused those costs to be incurred are having difficulties especially when ers that are responsible for this dispar- because we have not done anything to they have to pay for those high cost ity, not the retail pharmacist. protect the elderly from the high cost drugs. In fact, in most of our districts, we of medications and the fact that many Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, if the see independent pharmacies going out of them will go without the medica- gentleman will yield, I would ask all of of business every month because their tions, forcing them to get sick and our colleagues to join the gentleman margins are so small caused by this then to use more expensive care. from Texas (Mr. TURNER) and the gen- discriminatory pricing scheme that Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, if the tleman from California (Mr. WAXMAN) they are not able to make ends meet as gentleman will yield, then who is going and myself in supporting the Prescrip- pharmacies and are having to close to pay for that? tion Drug Fairness Act. Let us pass it down their businesses. Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the and maybe we will be able to save What this chart shows you is that, of gentleman will yield, we are going to those dollars. the total price differential shown in pay for it. The country is going to pay Mr. WAXMAN. Absolutely. blue on the left-hand side, the average for it. The elderly is going to pay for it. Mr. LAMPSON. And help a lot of el- retail markup from average wholesale It is a cost of the Medicare program. derly folks along the way. by pharmacies in my district was about When we look at the Federal Govern- Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I again 1 percent, a little over 1 percent. In ment expenditures, what we spend in thank the gentleman from California fact, the highest markup for any pre- Medicare is one of our very largest ex- (Mr. WAXMAN) for his leadership on this scription medication that we studied penditures. It is not just from tax- issue. He has been a tireless worker for by retail pharmacists in my district payers, it is partly paid for by the pre- many years on behalf of health care for was 19 percent. So it is not the local miums that the elderly pay for their children, for senior citizens, and for all pharmacies that are making the Medicare. It is paid for also by the Americans. money. working people of this country who pay I again want to thank the gentleman We looked, not only at the 10 most into the Medicare system in hopes that for directing the staff of our Commit- commonly prescribed prescription they will have it available to them tee on Government Reform and Over- drugs for seniors, but we looked at a when they need it when they become sight, as our ranking member, to pre- few other drugs. Ticlid, for example, eligible because of their age to take pare these studies to document this look at the price differential on Ticlid. out that Medicare policy. very serious problem that we are talk- It is absolutely unbelievable to think Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, if the ing about here today. the line in blue shows what senior citi- gentleman will yield, it really would The gentleman from Texas (Mr. zens are paying for Ticlid and the line make sense if we can cut the costs of LAMPSON) mentioned the difference in in the pink shows what the most fa- seniors particularly who are in greater the price of one particular drug. On the vored customers are paying. It is just need of some of these medications than chart to my right, we have depicted the almost hard to believe that Ticlid perhaps other citizens of the country results of the study that the Commit- could be costing senior citizens $117 are that we would perhaps be able to tee on Government Reform and Over- and the favored customers, the big in- save money in the long run in our sight staff did in my congressional dis- surance companies and the hospital budget. We would have to appropriate trict. chains, get it for $33. fewer dollars in the future because of What it did, Mr. Speaker, was to take Another one, Synthroid, was even these cost saving measures that we the 10 most commonly prescribed drugs more dramatic. Synthroid costs our take today. for senior citizens, and it took a look senior citizens shown here in blue Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the at the prices that those drug manufac- $25.86 when they go into our local phar- gentleman will yield, I think that is turers are charging their most favored macy. The most favored customers can absolutely right. If we simply want to customers, those big HMOs, those big buy the same quantity of Synthroid for look at it as a dollar and cents issue, I insurance companies, the big hospital $1.78. think the case can be made that we chains, and even the Federal Govern- Micronase, another drug that is pre- would save money if we have protected ment. Those prices are depicted here in scribed for diabetics, costs our senior the elderly from the high cost of pre- this column. citizens and local pharmacists $45.60. scription drugs and not have to pay The one the gentleman from Texas The most favored customers or the big that amount in hospital care costs for mentioned right here was $58 that the drug manufacturers get that same them. favored customers paid. In the same quantity for $6.89. But even without just looking at it study, pharmacies in my district on av- So we see the problem. What we are from a dollar point of view from a Fed- erage were having to charge $107 to our trying to do about it in this legislation eral Government standpoint, just from senior citizens who walk in without in- is to allow our local pharmacists to a common sense humanitarian point of surance for that same quantity of pre- buy prescription drugs for Medicare el- view, how can we say to the elderly scription medication. This quantity igible seniors directly from the Federal that we are going to protect them from here is about a month’s supply of each Government who is one of these most being wiped out financially when of those prescription drugs. So you see favored customers. We believe that is October 1, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9201 the right thing to do. We think that it face of adversity was inspiration for all measured by its length but by its qual- is the right thing for our senior citi- of us. Dan Quisenberry became the sec- ity. zens. ond Kansas City Royal to fall victim to f I wanted to thank every Member of this disease, joining manager Dick FIRST SURPLUS SINCE 1969 this Congress who has joined with us in Howser, who died in 1987, just 2 years cosponsoring this legislation. We hope after leading the Royals to the world’s The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. we can pass it for our senior citizens so championship. EWING). Under a previous order of the folks like Ms. Frances Staley, my con- Dan Quisenberry developed a reputa- House, the gentleman from Illinois stituent in Orange, Texas, can be able tion as a ‘‘flake’’, based on his friendly (Mr. WELLER) is recognized for 5 min- to afford her prescription medication. banter with reporters who always utes. f sought him out for a good quote. This Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I thought is a man who, finding success after a I would take a few minutes to just talk COMMUNICATION FROM THE rare downturn in his pitching fortunes, about something that is pretty excit- CLERK OF THE HOUSE told a reporter that he had found a de- ing, I find, for the folks back home in The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- livery in his flaw. But, Quisenberry the south suburbs of Chicago and the fore the House the following commu- also was an intelligent and articulate South Side of Chicago and the rural nication from the Clerk of the House of man, a witty man who turned to poetry areas and the bedroom communities I Representatives: after his retirement from baseball. have the privilege of representing back home in Illinois. OFFICE OF THE CLERK, He also was the best relief pitcher U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, the Kansas City Royals had ever October 1 is a big day. It is a big day Washington, DC, September 29, 1998. known. He was the first pitcher to save that many of us, particularly in my Hon. NEWT GINGRICH, 40 games in a season, and he still holds generation, have been waiting a long The Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, the American League record for most time to see come. The reason October 1 Washington, DC. saves in two consecutive seasons with is such a big day is, today is the first DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- 89. At the peak of his career, he was a surplus that Washington has seen since mission granted to Clause 5 of Rule III of the 1969. Thanks to this new majority that Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, factor in every game; unique for a the Clerk received the following message pitcher. has been in place here, the Republican from the Secretary of the Senate on Tues- Baseball writer and fellow Kansan majority that has been in place now for day, September 29, 1998 at 12:45 p.m. Bill James put it best in his baseball the last 31⁄2 years, we have the first bal- That the Senate Agreed to Conference Re- abstract, ‘‘The logic was this: let’s say anced budget in 29 years, a balanced port H.R. 6. that the Royals were one ahead in the budget that is projected to generate That the Senate Agreed to Conference Re- fifth inning, but the other team had a $1.6 trillion in extra surplus tax dollars port H.R. 4103. man on and Babe Ruth at the plate. over the next 10 years. With warm regards, You’d be thinking ‘Well, if he gets the Essentially the folks back home are ROBIN H. CARLE, sending more money to Washington Clerk. Babe out here he’s got the bottom of than we need, producing a mammoth f the order up in the sixth. That means that Babe and Lou and company don’t surplus, thanks to the fiscal respon- COMMUNICATION FROM THE come up again until the seventh at sibility that began with the Contract CLERK OF THE HOUSE worst, and if it really gets tough in the with America in 1995. I find that folks back home are pretty excited, because The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- seventh inning, Quiz can come in and we talk about what we are going to be fore the House the following commu- the Royals will still win. So if he just doing with this surplus. There are nication from the Clerk of the House of gets Babe out here in the fifth inning, some, particularly down at the White Representatives: then the Royals win.’’ House, that want to spend it. They b OFFICE OF THE CLERK, 1545 would rather take that surplus and U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Well, it was not just the Royals who Washington, DC, September 30, 1998. spend it on whatever they can call threw this way, either. Managers would Hon. NEWT GINGRICH, emergency spending, trying to avoid The Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, use their pinch hitters in the 5th and the budget rules and, of course, avoid Washington, DC. 6th innings, trying to keep Quisenberry the budget discipline that we have. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- out of the game. In a sense every That is what a lot of folks back home mission granted to Clause 5 of Rule III of the Royals game revolved around trying to say. They say, if we do not set aside Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, get to Quisenberry, and it was some- that surplus now and give it to a spe- the Clerk received the following message thing that you started thinking about cific purpose, those Washington politi- from the Secretary of the Senate on Wednes- really as soon as you got to the park. cians will spend that extra money. We day, September 30, 1998 at 10:45 a.m. This is about a man who threw un- That the Senate Agreed to Conference Re- made a commitment here 10 days ago port H.R. 4060. derhand to major league hitters and to do something with that $1.6 trillion With warm regards, got them out. But Dan Quisenberry was surplus. We made a commitment to ROBIN H. CARLE, more than a great baseball player. He save Social Security. We made a com- Clerk. was a great human being. He was ac- mitment to eliminate the marriage tax f tive in Harvesters, an organization penalty. We made a commitment, es- that collects food for the homeless, and sentially, to give $1.4 trillion, two TRIBUTE TO DAN QUISENBERRY Village Presbyterian Church. He gave times what President Clinton origi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a something even more precious than his nally asked for back in January, to previous order of the House, the gen- money, he gave of his time. His dedica- saving Social Security, $1.4 trillion. tleman from Kansas (Mr. Snowbarger) tion to charity and to children was ad- Now, the $1.6 trillion in the budget is recognized for 5 minutes. mirable. surplus, of course, the 90–10 plan, as we Mr. SNOWBARGER. Mr. Speaker, the I think it is appropriate to remember now call it, sets aside 90 percent of the Kansas City area, our national past at this moment the immortal words of extra tax revenue and makes a com- time of baseball, and everyone who ad- the fabled sportswriter Grantland Rice, mitment to put that money aside for mires courage and grit suffered a tragic words which very well might have been Social Security. The remaining 10 per- loss yesterday. Dan Quisenberry, written for Dan Quisenberry: cent we are going to give back to the former relief ace for the Kansas City When the one great scorer comes to write American people, because we do not Royals, lost his battle with brain can- against your name, he marks not that you want it spent here in Washington. We cer at the age of 45. won or lost but how you played the game. want to use it to help families. Quiz faced death with the same Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to join I have often raised the issue of the unblinking fearlessness with which he me in offering condolences to the marriage tax penalty over the last faced a Wade Boggs or a Don Mattingly Quisenberry family. Let them take year, asking a simple question: Is it or a Reggie Jackson. His courage in the comfort in the fact that life is not fair, is it right that under our Tax Code