macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I congratulate the distinguished majority leader on acting to modify the resolution at the beginning. In so doing. he has cured what otherwise would have been some several points of order that would lie against the resolution. Of course. the Senate may always overrule the Chair if a majority of the Senate so feels disposed. But I congratulate the majority leader on his actions. which have removed certain Impediments. certain phrases which might have provided impediments. Mr. President. I have a few questions I should like to ask at this point so that we all understand what the ground rules are. First of all. what is the overall time cap on this resolution?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

As to any committee amendment that has not been agreed to. is that committee amendment not an amendment in the first degree?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

So that any amendment to that amendment would be an amendment in the second degree and thus would be allotted only 1 hour.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

May amendments be offered to the resolution after the 50 hours have expired. if such event should indeed become a realityand I doubt that it willmay amendments still be called up and be voted on without debate?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Is it not true that while an amendment is pending. a quorum call. if requested. would have to come out of the time on the amendment?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

If the time had expired on such committee amendment and just preceding a vote. would notfirst of all. a quorum call would be in order. and that beink the case. would not the time be gratis? It would not be charged against the 50 hours?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I was going to get to the rollcall next. but the Chair has already resnonded. I will ask the question for the record: With respect to time on rolleall votes. with the exception of the rolleall vote that is associated with the quorum in getting the Sergeant at Arms Instructed. is not such time gratis. not charged against the 50 hours?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

And if such amendment Is offered and a point of order is made prior to the Chairs ruling. would not a motion to waive the germaneness requirement of title 3 be in order and if such waiver were granted by a majority vote thus such amendment would be in order. even though not germane?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. do the majority and minority leaders control the time on the resolution itself. in other words 25 hours each?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

On any amendment that is called up does not the mover of the amendment control half the time. with the manager of the resolution controlling the other half of the time unless the manager agrees with the amendment. in which case would not the minority leader control the time in opposition thereto?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Yes. During the consideration of an amendment. while there is yet time on the amendment. as I understand It. no Member may suggest the absence of a quorum unless time is yielded to that Member by someone in control of such time as in the case of any other unanimousconsent agreement?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I think that satisfies my search for answers at this point. I. therefore. have no further requests and yield the floor.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I yield the time on this side to the control of the distinguished Senator from South Carolina on the resolution.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if the Senator will yield the floor. I have one more question that occurs to me at this time. Is it not true that in connection with this resolution. unlike the rules that ordinarily govern in the debate and action on bills and resolutions where language has been amended again or the numbers can be amended again and if necessary again and if necessary again. in order to achieve mathematical consistency or retain mathematical consistency? Ordinarily if an amendment is adopted except by unanimous consent that same language could not be directly amended a second time. but in this case am I not correct in saying it can be amended again?
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have discussed this with the distinguished majority leader I was going to make the same statement that I would object to any committees meeting during the consideration of this request. I think Senators should be on the floor if at all possible. and obviously they cannot be on the floor and in committee meetings. too. and this is a matter of such importance that it seems to me it is imperative every effort be made that Senators be in attendance while this budget resolution is up before the Senate. May I ask the distinguished majority leader about another matter which I have not consulted with him. Would it be possible for us to have some understanding as to the recognition of Members to call up amendments? I wonder if it would be agreeable to have an understanding that the Chair might alternate betweeh sides so as to allow the majority side to call up an amendment. and then the minority call up an amendment. otherwise. it might be difficult for the minority to get recognition to call up amendments at times.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I can only say that there are several amendments that will be called up on this side of the aisle. I believe that Mr. PRYOR will have an amendment that he wishes to call up very early on and. of course. we recognize that the majority in this circumstance would go first with an amendment. But when it comes our turn. I believe that Mr. PRYOR has the first amendment.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. that is a very worthwhile suggestion. This will allow Senators to call up amendments in the second degree without having to ask unanimous consent to do so. the time on committee amendments not having run. The manager on this side has indicated his willingness to yield back his time.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I am proud to join with the distinguished Senator from Florida (Mr. CmoLs) and other Senators in sponsoring this amendment. Mr. President. last year the Veterans Administration celebrated its first half century of operation as an independent agency created for the sole purpose of serving Americas veterans and their dependents and survivors. We can all take pride in those years of service and in our national commitment "to care for him who shall have borne the battle." Today. we have more than 30 million veterans in the United Statesthe largest veteran population in our Nations history. The Veterans Administration has grown to meet this sixfold increase in veterans during the last 51 years. The Veterans Administration hospital system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930 to more than 170 today. caring for more than 1.300.000 inpatients annually. VA nursing homes and domiciliaries care for nearly 80.000 veterans each year. and outpatient clinics record about 18 million annual visits. The Veterans Administration hospital network is the largest organized medical system in the United States. It is a system which we should all value. but if we allow the Budget Committees personnel mandate to stand. a great number of veterans are going to be turned away from hospitals or they will wait lengthy periods for adequate care. If outcare health services are reduced. health care will grow more expensive as more veterans will be hospitalized. And. no health care clinic can be run by doctors alone. Without adequate support staff. waiting periods for medical treatment will grow unduly long and the sick will grow sicker. medical records will likely be lost or misplaced. and the quality of health care will deteriorate. Veterans in need cannot be denied adequate medical attention. I am proud to cosponsor the Chiles amendments to restore $300 million in funding for VA health care. If we cut VA health care personnel to 1979 levels when our veterans population has grown. we will do a disservice to our Nations vetprans and we will. ultimately. spend more on medical care. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of the amendment by Mr. CHILEE.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: JENNINGS RANDOLPH (democrat)
Chamber: S

SPARK MATSUNAGA. and most especially STROM TUaMOND and Boa STAFFORD. who far outrank me in this Chamber and yet -efer to me in a most extraordinary way as their chairman as they are mine on other committees. We heard the remarks of STROM TavaMOND. He said this is the toughest vote of his career. I do not doubt that at all because I know what he does for veterans. I know what he did as a veteran. He is the dean of this body. our President pro tempore. And then to hear BoB DOLE speak. one who has been through the fires. Both of these Senators have received the highest award that the VFW can confer. So the whole job of the Veterans Committee is to look at the issue of need. We have no other function. That Is what our committee does. That is what it is for. We restored all of the funds that were necessary to assure that VA could maintain the present levels of staffing for health care. We did that. We kept the commitment. Not one essential benefitI urge Senators attention to this factnot one essential benefit. not one pension. and especially not health care for veterans was cut back in this budget request. Not for a serviceconnected disability. not for needy nonserviceconnected disability. not for any veteran over 65 years of age. not one penny. That was the commitment that Ronald Reagan made to the VFW in August in Chicago.I was there. I heard what he said. We will not cut essential benefits to the veterans of America. and we have not. We restored the positions in the committee action of all health care personnel. There is no question about that. And I think. in conclusion. we should remember one thing: When a sick veteran goes into a Veterans Administration hospital. whether he walks in there or is chauffeur driven. he is admitted to that hospital regardless of whether he fought and won the highest valor awards that our country can confer. or whether he baked bread at Camp Beetle Bailey. That is the way the system works. We are now going to have to review various cost savings proposals. and that Is what I pledge to do as chairman of the committee. We have a commitment to the veterans. That commitment has never failed to have been met. I have been fascinated at the debates. It is goodspirited stuff. We have a good name for some of it in Wyoming. but it has been good stuff. I pledge to all that we will find the savings to do this job once we get an Administrator. once we get a Deputy Administrator. once we get an Inspector General. once we get a General Counsel of the Veterans Administration. I pledge we will find those savings in a $24 billion budget. I thank the Chair.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I was simply going to ask the Chair what was meant by the phrase "previous year" that the Chair used just now.
Date: 1981-03-26
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

So that does not. indeed. constitute a precedent. It was an event which was allowed to occur with no point of order being made at that time.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. for the record. I am told that NBC last evening. in its reporting the news. stated that I. ROBERT C. BYRD of West Virginia. voted with the Republicans in opposing the restoration of certain cuts to veterans health care services. The record shows that I did not vote with the Republicans. and I wish that NBC would retract that statement and correct it. I do not want that misinformation going out to the State of West Virginia. The record will show that I did not vote against restoration of cuts. and I believe that NBC. in its fairness. will make that correction.
Date: 1981-03-27
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. (8. 509) entitled "An Act to amend section 201 of the Agrioultural Act of 1949. as amended. to delete the requirement that the BUDGET RESOLUTION OF RECONsupport price of milk be adjusted semi- CILIATION AND INSTRUCTION annually". do pass with the following amendment: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Strike out all after the enacting clause. the previous order. the Senate will now and insert: "That section 201 of the Agricul- resume consideration of Senate Contural Act of 1949. as amended (7 US.C. 1440). Acurrent Resolution 9. which the clerk Is further amended by deleting subsection will state by title. (d).1. The assistant legislative clerk read as
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the distinguished majority leader for making that request to protect our colleagues on this side of the aisle.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. let us have order in the galleries also. I beg the Senators pardon. He is entitled to attention and the rules. of course. prohibit any demonstrations with support or approval from the galleries and it is the Chairs responsibility to maintain that order.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. for 10 minutes. equally divided. ask unanimous consent that a table reserving the right to object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without showing these reductions be printed in
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. Mr. MATHIAS. Mr. President. I rise was ordered to be printed in the RECORD. reserving the right to object. could the to oppose this amendment. I feel that it as follows:
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I wish to direct a question. or possibly more than one. to the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma . First of all. I would like to join in the amendment.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. Senator CRANsToN referred to it as a discretionary fund. Does this mean the President has total discretion without coming back to the Coilgress to determine how these moneys should be spent?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

So he has a free reign on the fund? All he is required to do is notify the Speaker and certain other Members of both Houses that he intends to spend so much money for suchandsuch a purpose. Is that correct?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

So the Congress would be giving to the President. by virtue of this discretionary fund. carte blanche. to use as he sees fits. $350 million. just so long as he notifies certain Members of the Congress that he intends to spend so much for suchandsuch in item. Is that correct?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

So the Congress. by establishing this $350 million discretionary fund. is giving up its prerogative of ddciding how much should be spent for what In connection with military aid or economic aid?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Well. I do not think much of that. Let me say that when I heard the distinguished minority whip ask If the $104 million cut could come out of that discretionary fund. I immediately perked up my ears. It interested me that the distinguished author of the amendment rePlied in the affirmative. that it could come out of that fund.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Of course. the Senator cannot. under the strict Budget Reform Act. lay it out. in this Particular measure that is being discussed at this time. specifically that it can come out?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

But. presumably. in carrying out the purposes of the legislation. both the Foreign Relations Committees of the Senate and the House. and the State Department would be largely persuaded. I would assume. by the legislative history that is made by way of committee reports. by way of Senate debate. and so on. Is that correct?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Wqll. that is why I rushed to the floor. When I heard that the $104 million could come out of that proposed discretionary fund. I wanted to be on board. I wanted to be on board with the d.4tinguished Senator from Oklahoma. I want to support that cut and I wart. for the purpose of legislative history. to state that it is at least one Senators viewpoint that it should come out of that proposed discretionary fund. because I think that the House and Senate ought to have a voice in saying wherc the taxpayers money should be spent with respect to military and economic aid. I do not think we should be setting up a discretionary fund for this President or any other President until I hear more about it and can understand better the pros and cons and the argument in that case. I certainly want to withhold my support of such a discretionary fund at this point. at least. .But. as for now. if the amendment carries. I hope that the legislative history would reveal that there Is at least this Senators support for taking it from the proposed discretionary fund. I support the amendment on that basis. I also want to commend the Senator for what he is doing to add to programs that will assist veterans of this country and that would be directed toward the veterans health services. which item will be receiving a sharper cut otherwise. I support him on both points. I want to be sure now. since it is my understanding that this can come out of the discretionary fund. and I have an capportunity to establish at least 1/100th of the portion of the legislative history on this matter. I want to be sure that he has added my name to the amendment on that basis.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I am pleased again to note that it. can come out of that fund. As far as I am concerned. I hope it will come out of that fund. For that reason. I want to add my name. plus the fact I want to help the veterans.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I just want to be sure that I heard the Senator correctly. Are there no strings attached to this proposed $350 million slush fund that would be created here?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I want to say again I hope this amendment carries becaupe I would like to see at least $104 million taken out of a slush fund which has no strings attached for the Presidents use to spend on either military or economic aid. May I be sure that the Senator did add my name?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. would it be agreeable on my side if the Senate were to vote at. say 3 p.m. today on the resolution regarding Poland?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. could I get an indication. before I yield the floor. as to who will be calling up the next amendment and what it will contain?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Reserving the right to object. will the majority leader change his request to provide that debate. that final debate. on the Riegle amendment end at 11 oclock and that any votes ordered prior to 1:30 occur beginning at 1:30?
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I announce that the Senator from Nevada . the Senator from California . the Senator from South Carolina . the Senator from Kentucky . the Senator from Nebraska . and the Senator from Arizona are necessarily absent. I further announce that the Senator from Hawaii is absent on official business. I further announce that. if present and voting. the Senator from California . the Senator from Arizona
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I move to lay that motion to lay on the table. . The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
Date: 1981-03-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. and I shall not object. will the distinguished Senator add to his requests that the motion to reconsider en bloc be laid on the table.
Date: 1981-03-30
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. listening to the Presiding Officer respond to the inquiry as to how many minutes have been used. it occurs to me that less than 600 minutes have been used out of a total of something like 3.000. which would indicate that to run the 50 hours out at the rate the Senate is going would require a total of 10 days of Senate sessions. I think. Mr. President. that the Senate ought to complete action on this legislation tomorrow or Wednesday. I would hope to see it complete action tomorrow and I think no later than Wednesday. If Wednesday Is required that would be a total of 5 days. which would indicate the Senate would have takeii only half or less than half of the total time allotted. So I will be talking with my colleagues on this side of the aisle to try to ascertain how many amendments will remain to be called up and I will be discussing this with the distinguished majority leader. hopefully. before the day is out. But I should think that Tuesday or Wednesday ought to see us complnee action on this measure.
Date: 1981-03-30
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. today I am introducing a Senate joint resolution to signify the ebullient spirit of our society. I am calling for the designation of the square dance to be the national folk dance of the United States of America. Our early settlers worked hard. When the weeks work was done. they socialized. When they socialized. they danced. The Puritans danced. and so did the Cavaliers. These colonial caperers were no respecters of personshigh and low took their places in the "longways" and took their turns to swing and dip. George Washington. in the parlors of the 13 colonies. and Daniel Boone in the backwoods huts. understood the square dance. socalled from the adoption of the "squares" popularly danced in France. The square dance evolved In the ballrooms. log cabins. and wagon trains. and with the expansion of our Nation. spread from the mountains of the East to the prairies and the deserts of the West. Built on a pyramid of folk dances. jigs. minuets. and contras. the square dance spreadever changing. ever elaborating. Callers bpgfin to direct the dancers. their calls becoming familiar tunesswing your partnerright and left all around. sashay and promenade"-a strange mixture of French and English. and now Americana. Every community has its own way of square dancing. and every fiddler his own way of playing the tunes. There is nothing like the square dance elsewhere in the world. Yet. the American square dance is popular today on the European continent. in Asia. in the Orient. Latin America. in every portion of the civilized world. Therefore. I feel this jolly envoy from our great Republic shold be honored by my bill to designate the square dance to be the national folk dance of our country. Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be printed in the RECORD.