Date: 1981-06-24
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the distinguished majority leader. I have been yielded 5 minutes off the bill. Mr. President. I want to make it clear beyond any semblance of doubt that this amendment is not offered to block the consideration of the reconciliation measure. it is not offered as an obstacle to the reconciliation measure. I think that we can say on our side of the aisle that while we have differed with the majority on some of the details in this measure and on previous budget measures. most of us have agreed with the overall goals and dimensions and the scope. and the desire to restrain Federal spending. to be more prudent. and to balance the budget. if we can. And we have lent our assistance and our cooperation. I said long ago that we would not delay the Presidents program for the sake of delay on this side of the aisle. we would cooperate. I have lived up to that statement. So. Mr. President. my amendment does not affect one thin dime insofar as the instructions ordered by the Senate some time ago are concerned or insofar as the budgetary requirements in those instructions are concerned. But I am fighting to uphold a principle that has been adhered to. and zealously defended. for 192 years in this body. I do not think that the people of this country want to see the Senate legislate in this way because a very reasonable majority today can become a tyrannical majority tomorrow that will run roughshod over a minority and over the best interests of the people. The issue here is not whether a bill which has already passed the Senate can be included in the reconciliation bill. The issue is simply. do the provisions reported by the standIng committees to the Budget Committee save money or not? If they do not. they do not belong in this bill. A question was posed In our conference yesterday. "Do the people beyond the beltway really care? If we opposi extraneous legislation In this measure vigorously. will we be seen as obstructing the Presidents prograin." I say. no. this Is not an effort to obstruct the Presidents piogram. I say that people do not want farreaching nonbudgetary legislation to be herded under a simple. single big tent and approved under an Ironclad time agreement that prevents adequate debate on the measure. adequate debate on amendments. and judicious consideration. That is not the way the people want us to conduct our business. We all know that. We who support my amendment are trying to protect the people. the democratic process. and the Senate. I am not opoosed to the reconciliation resolution. But I am opposed to the subversion of the budget process. and. indeed. the legislative process as we have known it heretofore in the Senate. Today. I am asking all who cherish this institution and who regard the legislative process with esteem to reject this form of shortcut lawmaking. Finally. Mr. President. I offer my apologies to the distinguished majority leader for keeping him waiting. I have perhaps spoken too long. I hope that I have not said anything that offends any Senator or that leaves the impression that what I am seeking to do here has any partisan objective. Rather. it has only the objective of protecting the principle of free debate. the budget process. the integrity of the institution. and the rights of a minority at all times In this great body which we all love. I yield the floor.