macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1988-10-19
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this conference report was the product of the efforts of the Committees on Banking. Finance and Urban Affairs. Energy and Commerce. Education and Labor. Government Operations. Veterans Affairs. and Ways and Means. I commend the chairmen and the ranking minority members of all these committees for their cooperation and splendid efforts in concluding this wideranging conference on the vitally needed McKinney Homeless Authorization Act. Mr. Speaker. the House passed this bill on August 3. 1988. by a vote of 333 to 80 and the Senate passed its version of our bill on September 28. The issues involved in this conference were wideranging and in some cases very difficult to resolve. The Senate was unhappy with a number of the House provisions. while the House in a number of areas was opposed to the directions the Senate was taking. The authorization levels were quickly agreed upon and the conference report authorizes a total authorization level of $634 million for fiscal year 1989 and $683 million for fiscal year 1990. In most instances we have split the differences in the various programs reauthorized in this bill. The Banking Committees responsibility in H.R. 4352. is related to the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the HUD housing and shelter programs. We have sought to make the HUD Emergency Shelter Grant and supportive housing programs more flexible in response to testimony from local governments and nonprofit service providers who felt that changes were necessary to make these programs more adaptable to local circumstances. The conference report continues the excellent health care programs that were enacted in last years McKinney Act. provides for a continuation of veterans homeless programs and makes changes in the use of AFDC funds for homeless families. Finally. Mr. Speaker. this conference report resolves a number of differences that the House and Senate have had with the administration relating to last years Housing and Community Development Act and includes clarifying amendments to encourage the preservation of low income housing. assist in the administration of rural housing programs of the Farmers Home Administration. and facilitate the operation in the number of assisted housing programs. Mr. Speaker. before concluding. I wish to commend the distinguished chairman of the Housing and Community Development Subcommittee. Mr. GONZALEZ. for his efforts in pushing the successful conclusion of this conference and for his stalwart efforts in addressing the needs of homeless people. and I would also like to commend the distinguished ranking minority member of the Banking Committee. Mr. WYLIE. for his strong assistance in working out our differences with the Senate and with the administration. I also want to commend the gentlewoman from New Jersey for her efforts. her herculean efforts. in this regard. Mr. Speaker. I urge prompt approval of this conference report.
Date: 1988-10-19
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I urge prompt approval of this conference report that Is the product of the labors of so many dedicated people. Mr. Speaker. due to another meeting. I ask unanimous consent to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Texas to act as manager.
Date: 1988-10-19
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill to provide for and promote the economic development of Indian tribes by furnishing the necessary capital. financial services. and technical assistance to Indian owned business enterprises and to stimulate the development of the private sector of Indian tribal economies. as amended.
Date: 1988-10-19
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to extend their remarks on the Senate bill presently under consideration.
Date: 1988-10-19
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. each Congress. a number of relatively noncontroversial proposals regarding the insular areas are combined into an omnibus bill. These acts have provided essential assistance and rationalized the treatment of insular areas under various laws. Although the acts have been relatively noncontroversial. they have addressed many needs that would otherwise be overlooked. Differences regarding the Palau Compact of Free Association legislation made agreement on an omnibus insular areas bill difficult this Congress. But the administraitons decision a couple of weeks ago to support the fundamental provisions of the Palau resolution that I sponsored along with 64 other Members made enactment of an omnibus insular areas bill this year a possibility. Spokesmen for the other body committed that they would try to obtain Senate approval of it.
Date: 1988-10-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture and other agency heads to enter into agreements with foreign fire organizations for assistance in wildfire protection as amended.
Date: 1988-10-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. the intent of this bill is to extend permanently. existing temporary authority that allows the Department of Agriculture and other agencies to enter into contracts with foreign firefighting organizations for mutual aid in fighting wildfires. This legislation will make permanent. the Temporary Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act that passed the House earlier this year. A provision that was in the bill reported by the House Committee on Agriculture has been stricken. and I will engage in a colloquy with our distinguished colleague. the gentleman from California
Date: 1988-10-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I want to express my appreciation to the chairman and ranking members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs who have worked and cooperated with us in this endeavor.
Date: 1988-10-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 ler Islative days in which to revise and xtend their remarks on H.R. 4936. the bill Just passed. and on the Senate bill. S. 2885. which was previously passed.
Date: 1988-10-21
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to express my support for H.R. 5210. the Omnibus Drug Initiative Act of 1988. Of particular concern to the Committee on Agriculture are the pro. visions in the bill which would provide for enhanced authorities for the U.S. Forest Service to combat the production of marijuana and other controlled substances on Forest Service lands. Among its many other benefits. the National Forest System provides thousands of Americans with a variety of recreational opportunities every year. Unfortunately. National Forest System lands could become a haven for marijuana growers and producers of other controlled substances. These drug merchants have been known to use armed guards. attack dogs. and lethal booby traps to protect their drugs from other growers. law enforcement officers. and the public. A sorry consequence of the use of these devices is the threat that they pose to life and limb of hunters. hikers. and Forest Service employees. The Forest Service provisions of LR. 5210 are designed to give the Forest Service additional tools to combat drug production on Federal lands. and to ensure that these lands are safe for the public to use and enjoy. The legislation will provide the Forest Service with limited authorities to better combat the production of drugs on Federal lands. within the existing legal framework established in the National Forest System Drug Control Act of 1986. The current law requires Forest Service drug control enforcement authorities to be exercised pursuant to an agreement between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General. The drug control authorities in this legislation are also subject to such an agreement. It has taken the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General almost 2 years to consummate an agreement to approve the Implementation of the enhanced enforcement authorities provided for in the 1986 Act. I am hopeful that the Secretary and the Attorney General can reach an agreement to implement the authorities provided for in H.R. 5210 in a much more timely fashion. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the cooperation and hard work contributed by Chairman UDALL of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and Chairman RoDINO of the Committee on the Judiciary in helping to craft the Forest Service provisions of H.R. 5210. As chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. I am pleased that we were able to accommodate my colleagues on both of these committees on the important matters addressed in this legislation. Following is a brief summary of the Forest Service provisions of H.R. 5210 so that the Members of the House will be able to familiarize themselves with these important provisions:
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. there is nothing I can add to what has already bean stated lucidly. cogently. clearly. and completely as to the sense of our conversation with the President. and I am delighted to have served in this capacity and. as I say. I have nothing further to say.
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have acted with some reluctance and also with some joy. so one might say that I have acted ambivalently. My reluctance is born of my respect for the distinguished Senator from South Carolina . I have worked in this body with Mr. THURMOND for many years. I admire him. regard him highly. and under other circumstances I would join without further adieu in supporting the resolution that has been submitted by the distinguished Senator from Tennessee. the majority leader. However. on our side of the aisle there is a patrician Senator who is a man of 33 years experience in this body. He was chairman of the Committee on Armed Services for 13 years. He is now the ranking member of that committee. He would also be the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee had he chose to claim that position. Senator STENNIS was circuit judge in the State of Mississippi for many years before he came to the Senate. When I first came to the Senate I went on the Committee on Appropriations and there I came to know JOHN STENNIS and respect and admire him. When the then majority leader became President I took Mr. Johnsons seat on the Armed Services Committee and there I had the opportunity to work under the late Senator Russell. who was chairman of that committee. and work with JOHN STENNIS. my friend. He is a man who looks like a Senator. talks like a Senator. acts like a Senator. and who is a Senators Senator in my humble judgment. He is wellbeloved by all Members of this Senate on both sides of the aisle. He is highly respected on both sides of the aisle. highly respected in and out of the Senate. Mr. President. it is with a great deal of pleasure and with tremendous pride that I present him to the Senate today. for its considoration. although I have some doubts with respect to the outcome . as I look about me here and see the slightly thinned ranks of the Democrats. and as I look to the other side aind see the rather slightly bloated ranks of the Republicans. realizing we will have to out up with that for a short while . and knowing beforehand that my nominee may not survive the vote count. so I do present this name with a great deal of admiration and respect and with great pride. and I urge the Senate to support the amendment.
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I send to the desk a resolution making minority party appointments to the Senate committees. and I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I send a bill to the desk and I ask that it be read the first and second time and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. S810 L.urI
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I send to the desk a resolution to amend the standing rules. and I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to its Immediate consideration.
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

This would mean that reports would be eligible for receipt at the desk on calendar days when the Senate has recessed and not necessarily just during morning business on a new legislative day. Is that correct?
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

What is being done in one rerpect here is a waiving of Senate rule VIII with respect to receiving of committee reports during the period of morning business. Am I correct?
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

If I may say to my friend. as a very distinguished Senator who has been a Member of the Senate longer than any of the rest of us with the exception of Senator STENNs. this is an order which is being sought by the distinguished majority leader which has been accorded both leaders during the past two Congresses. It is for the purpose of allowing the majority leader and the minority leader to carry on some business or to yield part of their time to Members on their respective sides if they see a need to do so. I do not think there has been any abuse of the order.
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I wish to assure the Members on my side of the aisle that nothing new up to this point has been proposed. These are the regular routine orders that have been entered during the past 4 years. I assure those on my side of the aisle that nothing is new there and that. in my judgment. there will be nothing new in the additional requests that are going to be made. If there is. we will alert the body to it.
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Will the tees. majority leader state to the Senate what (The nominations received today are his plans are for tomorrow following the printed at the end of the Senate proceedcounting of the electoral votes and be- ings.) yond. for the remainder of the week. if he can?
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the of Representatives. delivered by Mr. distinguished majority leader. He does Gregory. one of Its reading clerks. an-. not anticipate. then. that the Senate will nounced that the House has agreed to be called upon to perform its constitu- the following resolutions: tional duties visavis the election of a H.Res. 3. Resolution Informing the Senate Vice President? . that a quorum of the House Is present. and
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Following the Henshaw. Jr.. of Virginia. has been elected counting of electoral ballots.te House for the 97th Congress and couningof eectral alltsH. Res. 4. Resolution informing the Senate
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

So he does not the Senate the following executivecomanticipate a tie vote in that instance? munication. which. together with accom-
Date: 1981-01-05
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

I jn t wonder how much staff this new committee has. Where are we going to house it? How much taxpayers* dollars is it going to cost? I hope the gentlematn from Texas Is listenting. How much money is involved in the creation of a new committee of the House of Representatives? I am shocked that the first official act of the gentleman from Illinois as a leader is to propose an additional expenditure of taxpasyes dollars. But I thank the gentleman for yielding and would like an answer to that question forthwith.
Date: 1981-01-06
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I send a resolution to the desk appointing minority pYA i ebership on the Select Committee oi ics and ask for its immediate considera on.
Date: 1981-01-06
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have no need for my time. Unless the majority leader or Mr. CRANSTON would like some additional time I am prepared to yield it back.
Date: 1981-01-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. on January 7 Presidentelect Ronald Reagan attended a luncheon in the U.S. Capitol with Democratic Senators. Mr. Reagan initiated the meeting. and It was gracious of him to do so. Also attending were Vice Presidentelect George Bush. Senate Majority Leader HOWARD BAKER and Senator PAUL LAXALT. as well as several of Mr. Reagans newly formed staff. I will not attempt to reconstruct Mr. Reagans talk. since no minutes of the meeting were kept. However. for the record. I would like to state my remarks as contained in my notes. After thanking Mr. Reagan* and Mr. Bush for having come to the Senate. I said the following: Your Party has a majority in the SenAte. but not in the House of Representatives. The problems facing this nation are not created by either party. Yet. they face both of us. And you will need the consensus of both parties to solve these problems. These party majorities are not issue ma. Jorities. Resolving ithe hard issues requires talent. and we have a wealth of talent in the Democratic Party. On the environment: Senator Hart is especially knowledgeable: on defense. Senators Nunn and Stennis have contributed ideas and leadership. on economic affairs: Senators Bentsen. Cranston and Long have extensive experience. on energy: Senators Jackson and Bradley will have many useful insights. and on the budget: Senator Hollings is our foremost expert. There are many more. Every Democratic senator has one or more areas of special knowledge. They can help you. This will be your government for the next few years. I know that you face enormous challenges in defense. and economic affairs. and energy. and foreign relations. I hope that you will call upon this wealth of expertise during your yearts as President. I hope that you will have Senate Democrats get. together with ..u for additional meetings of this kind. We Democrats are happy to meet and .alk with you. and we stand ready to d. so at any time you may wish. Mr. President. this has been the substance of my thoughts following Mr. Reagans remarks. I considered the meeting to be very beneficial. In my welcoming remarks. I told Mr. Reagan that he had our hopes for a strong and prosperous America as he begir.s his administration. While the executive and legislative branches have their distinct duties. we are joined in common purpose. It was in this spirit that we. as Democrats. were honored to have Mr. Reagan meet with us.*
Date: 1981-01-19
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
Date: 1981-01-19
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I take this opportunity to ask the distinguished majority leader what the program will be for tomorrow when the Senate returns into session following the inauguration. and what the business will be for the rest of the week. insofar as he can state it at this point.
Date: 1981-01-19
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the distinguished majority leader. Let me say at the outset that I am delighted that the distinguished majority leader is with us today and looking as hale and hearty as ever. He has had a brief period of hospitalization and we regret that he has had that discomfort. but we are happy that he is back on the floor. We trust that he will have no further problems. I assure him that we have missed him. even though we have not been in session. except the pro forma sessions. We have followed his progress in the hospital and we have tried to keep in touch by telephone as well. I know. on the part of my colleagues on this side of the aisle. that I express their gratitude at his being with us today. We are thankful for that. Mr. President. may I suggest to the distinguished majority leader that it is my intention to have a conference later today. at which time the ranking members will be asked to advise my colleagues with reference to any nominees that come within their respective jurisdictions. I personally hope that the nominations could be disposed of with reasonable dispatch. Senator PROXMIRE has indicated that he wishes to have a rolleall vote on every Cabinetlevel nominee. He is within his rights in making this request. and I personally think it is probably a good idea. myself. lie has also indicated that he would like to have at least 5 minutes on each nominee. which would allow him to ask questions of the chairman and ranking member of the committee handling the particular nomination that he is interested in.
Date: 1981-01-19
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if the Senator will yield further. it would be my desire and certainly my intention to seek to expedite the action of the Senate on the nominees. Regardless of how I may personally feel about a particular nominee. I do not feel that that nomination should be unduly delayed. It will be my intention during the Democratic conference. may I say to the distinguished majority leader. to see that my colleagues will be willing to enter into time agreements on the various nominees. inluding the nomination of Mr. Haig. I hope that the nomination of Mr. Haig can be disposed of on Wednesday. I believe that the new President should have his Government in place as much as possible for us to give him that Government. Each of us can quote our own particular sentiments in each case. The committees have acted with dispatch. The majority and minority on the committees have conducted the hearings expeditiously. and it seems to me that if we can proceed by time agreement to deal with these nominations. we ought to do it. I personally have no doubt that Mr. Haig will be confirmed. The votes against him will be relatively few and it seems to me that if we can reach an agreement by which a final vote can be had on that particular nomination. especially. on Wednesday. it being the nomination for Secretary of State. it would be well for us to do so. Mr. President. it will be my intention on this side of the aisle to attempt to get that kind of agreemept. So if the maiority leader thinks well of the suggestion. I would propose that. once the leader wishes to put the Senate into recess today. he do it on a call of the Chair basis because it may very well beit may bethat once our conference has ended. I might have some information for him which will be helpful in his formulating unanimousconsent agreements with respect to the nominations.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. there will be no objection from this side. We on the Democratic side want to expedite the process of confirming the nominees. Some of the nominees will be confirmed quickly and without much debate. Others will require a little more time. but we stand ready to cooperate in expediting the nominees. I feel the new President. as have his predecessors. should have those whom he has chosen insofar as the Senate is willing to confirm them in place as soon as possible so he can begin to govern. That will be the spirit on this side of the aisle as we approach this matter. We are ready to enter into a time agreement which I have discussed with the distinguished majority leader. if he so wishes to propound it.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. Preident. first of P.11. I have no objection. as I represent the Members on this side of the aisle. to holding the nominations at the desk prior to their being sent to committee. and I also have no objection to proceeding with any nomination the distinguished majority leader wishes to proceed with or nominations today without their being held for a day.