Date: 1982-11-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I think that the distinguished majority leader has outlined an agenda. part of which I certainly would agree with. some of which I might not. but certainly one which is. to a considerable extent. I think. necessary for the Senate to address itself to. Any appropriat.ons bills that may be available. of course. should be acted upon and if there is a jobs bill that can be enacted I think that is of a paramount nature. I would suggest that we ought not limit ourselves. however. in the long run. I am not saying that we have to do this in the short run. but certainly as the new Congress convenes we are going to have to give attention to the economy and to monetary policy and to trade policy and to the rebuilding of the infrastructure of this country-- its bridges. its roads. water and sewer facilities and the revitalization of the industries of this country. many of which are no longer operating at even 50 percent of capacity. the steel Industry being a paramount example. It is my understanding that the steel industry is operating at less than. or around. 40 percent of capacity at this time. I do not think that this country can allow itself to become purely a serviceoriented economy and dependent upon other countries for such vital items as steel. So I would anticipate a rather broad agenda along those lines. and I know that my comrades and I will be discussing this in caucus tomorrow and in future caucuses. But I do not think that we can content ourselves with simply a temporary jobr bill. I think there has to be more thought given to the whole matter than just the passage of a jobs bill. As to a gasoline tax. I want to talk with my colleagues about that. too. I say to the distinguished majority leader. We will be meeting in caucus tomorrow. I am sure there will be some who will be supportive. some who might not be supportive. and some who have other ideas. We will be discussing those on tomorrow. I have nothing further that I would say except with respect to the comments of the distinguished leader anent legislation dealing with changes of the rules in the Senate. Senator LONG is not on the floor and there are other Senators who are interested in this matter. I will be agreeable to sitting down with those Senators and discussing it with them and. in turn. discussing it with the majority leader. and. perhaps in their company. it may be that some agreement could be worked out. Judging from the past. however. it would seem to be a rather tall order to expect the Senate to enact legislation dealing with televised proceedings within the 3 weeks that we are here. especially when we need to give attention to more pressing things at the moment. such as the economy. jobs. interest rates. monetary policy. and so on. But I assure the distinguished maJority leader. as I have privately. that I will be talking with colleagues on my side cf the aisle about the matter of television in the Senate and we will. In turn. be talking with him and other Senators as he wishes. It may be that some agreement can be worked out. and maybe it cannot. But. in any event. the majority leader has my assurance that that will be under discusslon on my side of the aisle.