macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if the distinguished manager of the bill or the majority leader should seek to work out an agreement. I renew my offer and my willingness to enter into a time agreement In the hope that I can get an upordown vote and In the hope that no amendment would be offered to the amendment.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I yield to the majority leader for a question with the understanding that I retain my right to the floor.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I see that several of my colleagues who are cosponsors are here and are prepared to speak to it. Mr. KENNEDY is the principal cosponsor. and I assume that he would wish to address some remarks at this time. I yield the floor.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the Senator from Michigan. I also thank Mr. KENNEDY and I thank Mr. DODD for the generous remarks they have made in my behalf. I take this occasion to thank those who worked with me. a task force of Senators I selected. each of whom has expertise in various fields. for the contribution they made in putting together this package. I wish to thank each member of the task force.. Senators
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

And that would be in addition to the highway and mass transit pieces which would be 340.000. So it would be something on the order of a total of about 730.000 to 740.000 to 750.000.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Nothing would be spent in 1984 and 1985 other than that required by the environment and public works highway provision and the Banking Committees mass transit program.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

There would be a deficit at the beginning but that would be wiped out by the surplus in the outyears.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I will not object. May I say that the majority leader and the distinguished Senator who manages this bill were quite willing to enter into a time agreement: they have no amendment attached. and to vote up or down. I would be the last to object to this request.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Yes. I think in the amount of about $5 billion-$19 billion expenditures. $24 billion revenues. to say nothing of the impact on the deficit of putting people to work who will be paying taxes and who will not be receiving food stamps and unemployment compensation.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I anticipate at least one other statement on this side of the aisle. I suggest the absence of a quorum if no Senator seeks recognition at this point.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

It would not take very long for that coal miner in southern West Virginia or nothern West Virginia who has to drive 50 or 60 miles to work and back. it would not take him long to decide. He would not have to hear much debate. It would not take the taxi drivers. people who operate taxicabs and who make their living by transporting passengersand. of course. they have to buy gasoline to do thatit would not take them very long to make a decision on this. They would not have to hear much debate. It would not take the elderly citizensand one would be surprised at how many of them can driie and do driveit would not take them very long. because this is going to come out of their pockets. What about the school boards in the busing of school children? This money is going to be an additional cost to the various school boards across the country. So it would not take long for the common peoplethe small businessman who operates a little grocery store and who has to deliver his groceries to his customers. it would not ttake him very long to make a decision. He is already going to pay more unemployment compensation taxes because of the tax increase enacted earlier this year. The President said earlier this year to a joint session of the two Houses that there would not be any increase in taxes this year. He said that about three or four times. I remember. I sat there in the House Chamber and listened as he assured the American people that there would not be any increase in taxes. Then there came the legislation supported by the administration to triple the tax on telephones. double the tax on cigarettes. And that is not going to stop many people from smoking. admirable though that goal might be. The cost of airline tickets and airfreight was also increased. There was not to be an increase in taxes. according to the President. yet he later supported the $89 billion tax increase. And that is being borne by the people in this country who can least afford to bear it. Now. we are being asked to place an additional tax on those people who can least afford to bear it. But do not touchthey say do not touchthat third year of the tax cut for those people who can best afford to pay for this kind of program. I thank the distinguished Senator from Arkansas for his statement. I agree with him that if this were a referendum to be put before the people. they would not have to listen to much of the debate. It would not take long. There would be an overwhelmingoverwhelmingadoption of our amendment.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

That is correct. Most coal producing States now have approved reclamation programs. This money is for the use of these States and would be drawn from the State reclamation program portion of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. Also. I would like to reemphasize the point made by the distinguished Senator from Kentucky when he states that this $37 million is in addition to the whatever amounts otherwise available in whatever appropriations vehicle that contains funding for the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I wish to have the opportunity to canvass my.side to see if there are no further amendments to the bill.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I have no objection to this. but I want to be sure the Senators whose names were designated indeed are only planning to debate the measure and do not have an amendment in mind and for their protection I will reserve the right to object. I think. Mr. President. that they only want to engage in a colIloquy. so I have no objection.
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. since first coming to Congress. our esteemed colleague. the Honorable Tour MoFFErr. has been a strong advocate of consumer rights. He has served his constituents and the Nation well with his vigilance in monitoring the activities of the energy industry. At a time in our history when we saw soaring energy costs and inadequate supplies. ToBY was In the forefront of those questioning the reasons for the situation and searching for equitable solutions to our price and supply problems. He has earned a reputation as a tenacious fighter for consumers and. as chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment. Energy. and Natural Resources. he has become a major congrcssional spokesman in these areas. As fellow southern New Englanders. we have worked together for many common goals. His energy. enthusiasm. and intelligence have proven invaluable assets to the New England congressional delegation. I have followed ToBYs career closely since he came to Congress. The qualities which made him quickly become a leader of his class will assure his future success. I wish him the very best and know that. whatever he chooses to do. we can expect to hear from ToBY MorFETT.0
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. when my friend TonY Morrrr leaves the House at the end of the "lameduck" session. Congress will have lost one of its more energetic and effective young Members. He has boundless enthusiasm for the give and take of politics. and while our views are not often parallel. I have the greatest admiration for his ability and integrity. As we all know. ToaY MOFFETT ran a tremendous Senate campaign in his native State of Connecticut and came very close to success against a popular encumbent. On the basis of this strong campaign and his statewide image as a spirited fighter for environmental and consumer causes. I predict that he will soon be back in the political arena. He has already enjoyed outstanding success at the polls. I have enjoyed serving with ToBY MOFFETT and wish him well in his future endeavors.e
Date: 1982-12-14
Speaker: WILLIAM J. COYN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ri in strong support of the a Peace c o dhel the roundwofrrf on Csiarslc:. t .. :1 . fo t> ntv- -. F VIA i .lt r e strt to achev hi Voa.In anik (of hoeXwho fao forel: rasaite iritary tion. wil leful iitary po. we may A onei ine reting of a "Jobs zvih Peake" cogrssonal caurd today laid the roundwork for a congressional strategy to Achieve this goal. In the next Congress. the ranks of those who favor a more reasonable military budget will likely grow. so we may make some progress toward the goals of the resolution. As a Representative from a northeastern industrial State. I certainly hope that this is the -case. Studies by the Machinists Union. one of the largest unions in defenserelated industries. indicate that large increases In military spending may actually decrease the number of available jobs. In a time of 10.8percent unemployment. this is a serious contention. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was aware of this prospect. He noted: Every gun that is made. every warship launched..every rocket fired signifies. in the final sense. a theft from those who hunger and are not fed. those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers. the genius of its scientists. the hopes of its children. A recent study by Employment Research Associates of Lansing. Mich.. suggests that when military spending goes up. expenditures are foregone in the following categories: Durable goods. nondurable goods. residential and nonresidential construction. services. State and local government. exports and imports. producers durable equipment. and Federal civil purchases. This can have a negative effect on States such as Pennsylvania where jobs depend on such economic activities. According to the Michigan study. Pennsylvania ranks fifth among the States in the number of Jobs lost as a result of military spending. At this point. I would like to share with my colleagues some of the findings of the Employment Research Associates:
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: SAM B. HAIL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. after a very short time here in the House our good friend and colleague. JIM JEFFRIES. decided to retire. I wish that he would have made a decision to stay longer. because he had made a significant and lasting contribution to the work of the Congress. JIM JEFFRIES originally ran for the House on a campaign pledge to fight excessive. unnecessary Government spending. and he remained true to that commitment. He has a reputation for consistency and integrity and is known for sticking to his guns. The people of his native State of Kansas have a reputation for independent thinking. and JIM JEFFRIES fits this coveted role. It has certainly been an honor for me to be with JIm on the Veterans Affairs Committee. He is a veteran and he understands the needs of our veterans. We have had mutual service on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. and there is no question that JIM JEFFRIES fights for a better system of delivering essential services to the veteran population by the Veterans Administration. As a member of the Government Operations Committee. JIM has battled for regulatory reform and reducing the size of Government. He has been in the forefront of the struggle to maintain local control over education. II 9923 and his very persuasive arguments against creation of the U.S. Department of Education were among the best I heard during consideration of legislation establishing the agency. JIM JEFFRIES is an able. effective. and wellliked Member of this body. I have thoroughly enjoyed our alltoobrief period together. and I know that the future will continue to find him involved in the process of helping people. I wish him continued success.e
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I point out to the Senator that unless it is tied into the request that no amendments be in order amendments could be offered. even though it may have been cleared for passage by unanimous consent.
Date: 1982-12-15
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: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the Buy American amendment and the antidumping enforcement mechanism that are pending are excellent examples of legislation that is designed to help our people to keep their jobs and expand the economy. I strongly support both efforts. At a time when our crucial domestic steel industry is utilizing approximately 40 percent of its total operating capacity due to the depressionI call it a depression with 12 million people out of work and with some West Virginia counties. at least one. with the unemployment running at better than 34 percentdue to the depression and unfair trade. what could be more sensible. more rational than requiring the Federal Government to use American steel? When steel hurts. coal hurts. When the steel industry in West Virginia is operating at 40 percent of capacity. West Virginia coal miners are thrown out of work. And when West Virginia coal miners are thrown out or work. retail sales are down. store clerks are thrown out of work. truck drivers are thrown out of work. other people are thrown out of work. The infrastructure improvements that are authorized in this legislation will require a substantial volume of steel. Given the unacceptable unemployment rate in the steel industry. which in November 1982 was 26 percent. the steel used should be of American origin. Now. I talked with the British Ambassador some time ago. and I told him about our dilemma. that we have thousands of steelworkers who have lost their jobs and the State is faced with a possible closure of the steel facility at Weirton if something is not done and done soon. I have tried* to be helpful to that plant in every way that I could. The employees there are attempting to set up an ESOPan employees stock ownership planso that they would take over the plant and operate it. and that plan is on target. thus far. We hope to get some help from certain Federal. agencies. . The Environmental Protection Agency has already been helpful. It has approved the first bubble proposal. and there is a second bubble proposal in the works. This bubble proposal that has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. and hopefully the second one will be approved. will save the plant. millions upon millions of dollars which would have to otherwise.be spent for antipollution equipment. which can otherwise be used in the ESOP approach. If that plant goes down. it will be a catastrophe. not only for 11.000 workers and former workers there but also for their families and for associated industries and the workers in those industries. It would be a catastrophe for the Ohio Valley. the northern panhandle of West Virginia. I was talking with Sir Nicholas Henderson. British Ambassador. and I said. "Mr. Ambassador. your government is subsidizing the steel industry and it hurts our steel industry." And he said. "Well. we do that so that we will continue to keep our steelworkers employed." "Well." I said. "it takes jobs away from our steelworkers." The same thing is true with Japan and Germany. These other governments subsidize their native industry. The same thing is true with footwear as with steel.
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I agree num workers. with my friend and my senior col- Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Our alumileague. num workers. Secretary Regan said recently to our Mr. RANDOLPH. And our glass steel people that they could forget workers.
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Our chemical workers. You name it. Anyplace we can be soft in trade with our trading partners we are being soft. I have been around here for 30 years on this Hill and we have talked about free trade and all that. and I want to see us increase our exports to other countries and we can do that. But we are going to have to do something to protect our basic Industries because. under the Constitution. Congress has the responsibility to promote the common defense of this country. and we cannot do it if we do not have the vital steel industry and ferroalloy industry and other basic industries to keep our country free.
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

It is great in theory. and I would like to see it. I would like to see free trade. but we are not witnessing free trade when Belgium. the Netherlands. Brazil. Germany. Luxembourg. Italy. Japan. and these other countries subsidize their own native industries. I told the German Foreign Minister. HansDietrich Genscher. the same thing when he visited my office sometime ago. They protect their industries. they subsidize their industries. and it enables those industries to send products to this country and sell thet at cost. below the cost of producing those goods in this country. Our steel mills cannot compete under those situations. so what should we do. just give up and say to our steel people. "Forget it. you wont ever have your old jobs back"? But an industrialized nation has to have a viable steel industry. I know there are those who say. "Well. you will start a war." I say we have been in a trade war for many years. and we are losing it. We are losing that trade war. We are losing it without firing a shot. So.1 hope Senators will support the Metzenbaum amendment. and the Specter amendment along with it. and I commend the Senators for their leadership in proposing those amendments. and I am glad to join in cosponsoring them. If one has to be called a protectionist. why. so be it. even if it is a bad word. But you go over there and talk to those steelworkers. go over there and talk with them. talk to those coal miners. those people who are out of jobs in Parsons in Tucker County. in the footwear industry. talk to them. talk to the people. talk to the people within the companies. talk to management in the companies. talk to them about forgetting it. you know. "You might as well get yourself a job in a pie factory."
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Well. Weirton. W. Va.. is going to become another Youngstown if something is not done and done pretty quickly. and the same thing that is happening with Weirton Steel is happening with other steel companies. WheelingPittsburgh Steel is having its problems. and one can understand why. Weirton Steel produced. I suppose. over 1 billion dollars worth of steel last year. I believe. and the margin of profit was something like onehalf of 1 percent. Well. one can do much better than that by just purchasing market certificates or Treasury bills. One can talk about the wage of the coal miner. My foster father worked in the coal mines. worked for $2 a day. sometimes he was overdrafted and in debt to the company. Of course. coal miners are getting more money now. and they are entitled to every dollar they get. because those who would criticize the wages of the coal miner just have not been back in those damp. dank bowels of the Earth and heard the timber cracking to the right and the timbers cracking on the left. and have not had to wear the kneepads as they slog through the waterholes back in the bowels of the Earth. and they have not stood at the mine mouth after an explosion to see the faces of members of the families waiting. The miners are entitled to every dollar they earn. and so are the steelworkers. But there may come a time when industry and management will have to work more closely together and with Government. Perhaps there needs to be more cooperation among the three but. at the same time. I do not think we can stand idly by and see these other countries shipping goods into our country at prices which our native industries cannot meet. forcing those industries to close down. people to go out of work. go on unemployment compensation. food stamps. and welfare. With each 1 percent of increase in unemployment. the Federeal deficit is increased by $28 billion-$7 billion in food stamps. in welfare. unemployment compensation. and $20 billion to $21 billion li lost revenues to the Treasury. So the crocodile tears that are shed by those who speak out against protecting the American workers and American business do not impress me. They might go over to Weirton and talk to those steel people there and see what they think. and they will be impressed pretty quickly by the fact that those people over there believe that their elected Representatives ought to stand up for America and Americans and American industries. American working people and Amerlcan businesses. and not be told. in essence. "Boys. you may just as well forget it. You may never have your jobs back. We are exporting our jobs overseas. Furthermore. we will continue to do so. get yourself a job in a service station. or at Sears. or at MacDonalds."
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Reserving the right to object. Mr. President. there will probably be amendments in disagreement to the agriculture conference report. in which case they will be amendable. I call that to the attention of my colleagues. so they can have that in mind as they consider this request. As to waiving rule XXII and voting at 7 oclock. I personally do not have any objection to that because the majority leader can. if he wishes. arrange to have a cloture vote in the morning at about 1:15 a.m. I have done it before. myself. and he can do it. It would not be 2 minutes past midnight. because there has to be a lapse of an hour on the following day except one. I personally have no feeling about that. I would just as soon vote for cloture at 7 oclock tonight as at 1:30 in the morning. I do want my colleagues to know that those amendments in disagreement are amendable. I personally have no objection to the request. but I thought that my colleagues should have their eyes open in the event that they might be concerned about amendments that are in disagreement.
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Conference reports. of course. are privileged and a Senator can bring a conference report up any time he wants to.
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I think I understand pretty well what can be donewhat at least can be tried. I would personally not want to agree to it. As far as I am personally concerned. I have no amendments that I want to offer. but I want to protect my colleagues. If they want to enter into that kind of agreement without knowing what amendments might be offered. they can do so. Also. on the invoking of cloture. what does the majority leader propose to do about amendments in the second degree which under the cloture rule will have to be offered by the time the cloture vote began? If we have the cloture vote at 7. I do not know whether my colleagues have any -amendments that they want-
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

There is a Senator who I do not see on the floor at this time. and for his sake I should think I would have to object until I get clearance from him on that portion of the request.
Date: 1982-12-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Will the majority leader allow us to determine whether or not there are Senators who want amendments voted on before cloture on this side?