Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1962-10-20

Legislative In. HuuICW >. DlS
the achievements outweigh the
Biemiller termed the two-yeal
legislative record particularly i'm
pressive in light of the paper-thin
margin of support in Congress for
key issues in the Kennedy Admin
STATIONS program"
Detailed In Pamphlet
Reviewing the record in an AFL-
Clio pamphlet entitled Labor Looks
at the 87th Congress, Biemiller
listed as the most significant
achievement" enactment of "the
broad. new, job-creating trade ex-
pansion program" (See story, Page
~
Close behind il in importance
was extension of minimum wage
coverage to SO million additional
workers. II was the first time that
Congress had added to Waee-Hour
Act coverage instead of taking
groups of workers from under the
laws protection. The same bill
raised the minimum wage in steps
to S1.25 an hour. (See story, Page
| 10D
There were major setbacks, too,
as the conservative coalition exer-
cised a veto power over some of
Kennedy's top priority programs.
Some Programs Killed
Health care for the aged through
social security and all new aid-to-
education bills were blocked. An
Administration bill to end discrim-
inatory literacy tests was shelved
after Senate filibuster. Kennedy
tried 10 SET up a Cabinet Dept. of
Urban Affairs through a reorgani-
zation plan.. but the House rejected
liz.
| The key to the accomplishments
of the S7th Congress-despite the
handicap of the loss of Il liberal
seats in the 1860 election-was the
change in the presidency. according
to the AFL-CIO analysis.
In contrast to former Pres.
Eisenhower, whose vetOes or
threats of vetoes helped block
social legislation from 1888
through 1860, "Pres. Kennedy
threw White House power into
the legislative battle for liberal
programs" labOr's legislative ex-
perts emphasized, otherwise the
record of the 87th Congress
would have been much worse"
To relieve recession suffering,
put jobless workers back on pay
rolls and provide new purchasing
power to stimulate a sluggish eco
nomy. Congress passed these major
labor backed, Administration pro-
grams:
. Depressed area aid.
| . Manpower retaining.
| . Public works step-up.
. Temporary unemployment
benefit extension IN 1861. How
ever, the program was allowed to
expire this year.
Boosts to the economy also came
through q greatly-expanded housing
program. and a "catch-up" pay
raise for is million government
employees.
Resources Protected
Long-delayed programs to make
better use of tho nations natural
resources became law, tho analysis
observed. Consumers were also
given greater protection against un-
safe or ineffective drugs-althOugh
it took the scare of baby-deforming
thalidomide and an aroused public
opinion to make Congress heed the
Presidents request for q strong
law.
More than 4 million persons on
social security rolls gained through
increases in minimum benefits and
widows pensions, and from optional
early retirement for men.
II q constitutional amendment
passed by Congress Is ratified,
voters In five states will no longer
have to pay . poll tax to vote in
federal elections.
On the free world frost, ~
| Peace Corps was st uP - .
permanent foundation, ~ Al
lance for Progress opened . new
err OF inter-American coopera-
lion, and the President won ~
request for authority 10 buy
United Nations bonds to help the
world organization ont OF . +
nancial crisis.
Over employer opposition. Con-
gress passed labor-backed amend
ments to the Welfare & Pension
Plan Disclosure Act giving greater
investigative and enforcement
powers to the secretary of labor.
Left for the 88th Congress to
tackle was permanent reform Of the
unemployment compensation sys-'
tenn through high federal standards,
. youth employment opportunities
program. mass transit legislation to
help traffic choked cities, the BAL
ance Of the Administrator farm
program which didn't ct adopted.
and amendment Of the Davis Bacon
Act 10 include fringe bene6ls \
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