macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1981-11-24
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Yes. Mr. President. I would appreciate it if the distinguished acting Republican leader could reserve that order for Mr. FORD until later.
Date: 1981-11-24
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. as a cosponsor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 45. I belleve it to be imperative that the Congress go on record In expressing our deep concern over the continued occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. Since the Soviet invasion. I have taken the floor no less than 15 times so as to keep attention focused on this brutal art. It has been nearly 2 years. since the Soviets sent 85.000 troops into that small nonalined Moslem nation. In a brutal attempt to bring that country into the Russian orbit. Yet. the people of Afghanistan have demonstrated a remarkable resolve against the occupation of their country by a foreign nation which holds values completely alien to all Afghans. Last week. the United Nations General Assembly. by an overwhelming majority. urged the withdrawal of Soviet. forces from Afghanistan. It was the third time since the invasion that the world community has censured the Soviet Union for that action. The vote in the United Nations. which was conducted on November 18. found 116 nations voting in support of the resolution. 23 opposed. with 12 abstentions. It was an impressive refutation of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The resolve of the Afghan resistance has been documented time and time again through press reports of journalists who have been smuggled into Afghanistan. The rebels have become more effective in carrying out coordinated attacks on Soviet troops and the remnants of the Afghan Army. most of whom have deserted to the rebel side. Tihe Soviets still maintain the capacity to take temporary control of rural districts. However. the rebels quickly return once they have left. Soviet convoys can travel tile main roads only If they are heavily defended. The resistance has demonstrated an impressive capacity to inflict heavy casualties among Soviet troops who are armed with the most sophisticated weapons in their military arsenals. Mr. President. the tenacity of the rebels is most impressive. But It is also a strong tribute to their great desire to recapture their status as a free and independent nation. They Just will not allow themselves to become another satellite of the Soviet Union. It is entirely appropriate for the Senate to go on record today in opposition to the continued Soviet aggression in Afghanistan. It demonstrates to a. friend and foe alike. that the United States has not forgotten this infamous deed perpetrated on the people of Afghanistan. It demonstrates we will not forget this occupation until the last soviet troop 1s withdrawn from that country and the Afghans are left In peace to determine what form of government best suits them.
Date: 1981-11-30
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I announce that the Senator from Texas . the Senator from Delaware . the Senator from Virginia . the Senator from California . the Senator from Connecticut . the Senator from Alabama . the Senator from Kentucky . the Senator from Massachusetts
Date: 1981-11-30
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I announce that the Senator from Texas . the Senator from Delaware . the Senator from California . the Senator from Connecticut . the Senator from Alabama . the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. HUDDLESTON. the Senator from Louisiana . the Senator from Ohio . the Senator from Rhode Island . the Senator from Michigan the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. TsoNGAS). and the Senator from Nebraska are necessarPy absent. On this vote. the Senator from Michigan is rsared with the Senator from Rhode Island . If present aind voting. the Senator from Michigan would vote "yea" and the Senator from Rhode Island would vote "nay."
Date: 1981-11-30
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I anuounce that the Senator from Texas . the Senator from Delaware . the Eenator from California . the Senator from Alabama
Date: 1981-11-30
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. The distinguished acting Republican leader Is not asking unanimous consent that the rollcall vote be ordered. He Is asking now that it be in order to order the yeas and nays.
Date: 1981-11-30
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I ask the acting Republican leader. when wvill a statement appear in the RECORD in explanation of the treaties?
Date: 1981-12-01
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. it is with genuine regret that I learned yesterday of the decision by the distinguished senior Senator from Virginia not to seek reelection next year. I know this was a difficult personal decision and one which must carry with it the mixed emotions of leaving an institution which has played so large a part in his famillys history. The State of Virginia has been represented in the Senate by a member of the Byrd family for some 48 years. It is hard to realize that this era will be coming to a close. Senator HARRY F. BYRD. Jr.. first came to the Senate in1 1965. succeeding his Illustrious father. Senator Harry F. Byrd. During his 15year tenure in the Senate. HARRY BYRD. JR.. has become best known as a champion of economy in Government and reduced Government spending. The Senator from Virginia has long warned that deficit spendign and ambitious Federal programs are unwise. and he has remained the constant guardian of the role of States rights in our constitutional scheme. in that. he has fashioned a truly independent role and has earned the admiration of all his Senate colleagues. It was in 1970 that the distinguished Senator from Virginia first sought reelection as an Independent. He ran on this tkct. again In 1976. winning the largest vote ever given any Virginia candidate. The people of his State knew that. above all else. Senator HARRY F. BYRD. JR.. represented them and their interests. That meant his commitment to coal as a crucial domestic energy resource. his concern for the unique role of Virginias harbors In this Nations transportation network. and his dedication to a strong and secure America. It meant his determination that the Federal tax dollars of Virginias citizens be wisely spent. And it meant his tireless efforts to represent his beloved State of Virginia with honor and integrity. When the istinguished Senator from Virginia retires from the Senate. I will lose a longtime friend from the Senate. I often refer to him as my "cousin." although we are of no known relation. I will miss him. Despite his independent political viewvs. Senator HARRY F. BYRD. JR.. has always caucused with this side of the aisle. lending his wisdom to our deliberations. .So. I say again and again that I will miss him. and his Democratic colleagues will miss him. Erma and I wish for HARRY and Gretchen Gods blessings In the years ahead.
Date: 1981-12-01
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. un der the order previously entered. Mr. BRADLEY is to be recognized to call up an amendment at this time. I should like to call up an amendment at this time. I have discussed this with Mr. BRADLEY and I have alerted the distinguished floor manager on the other side of the aisle. I ask unanimous consent that I may be recognized to call up an amendment at this time without prejudice to the order for the recognition of Mr. BRADLEY to call up his amendment following my amendment.
Date: 1981-12-01
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. there Is no time limit on this amendment. I wish the distinguished Senator would take whatever time he desires. I think it will be helpful for the Senate to hear what hie has to say.
Date: 1981-12-01
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the distinguished Senator raises an important question. Arrangements have been made for the program director to converse with Senators about this matter. This is in room 407. which is a secure room. and I would hope any Senator who wishes to have such a discussion would go to that room and raise any questions they have or may have.
Date: 1981-12-01
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I apologize. If the distinguished majority leader wanted someone to yield to him. I will be glad to yield.
Date: 1981-12-01
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. since this administration took office last January. it has pushed through the largest packagd of budget and tax cuts in our history. anid we now hear that more spending cuts will have to be made. Before we are forced to Make new cuts. we should fully understand what we have already done. Because these cuts were made through an unusual use of the reconciliation process. many Senators did not have the opportunity to carefully review the cuts they were asked to vote for. *As the reports from various sectors come In. it is more and more obvious that we have sliced through the fat. and severed mluscle from bone In many places. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has recently completed a suirvey of 100 cities and has issued a report entitled "The FY 82 Budget and the Cities." This survey details the harsh impact this years budget cuts are already having. and warns of greater dangers from future cuts. According to this survey. 61 percent of the cities responding have already laid off workers. and 13 percent more say they will do so soon. Fortyone percent. of the cities say they have already or will soon increase taxes. Sixtyfour percent of the cities said they will reduce services. For Instance. Little Rock has had to end its street resurfacing efforts. St. Paul Minn. has had to eliminate 20 policemen. and Toiedo now collects garbage only once every 2 weeks. These cuts threaten the safety. security. and health of all citizens. and more cuts mean that these threats will multiply. Fully 63 percent of the responding citdies said they will have to defer work on capital infrastructures. such as .waste water drainage. city waterlines. and sewer projcts. We can defer such Infrastructure repairs. but at some point we must make them if our Nations cities are to survive. The longer we wait the more it will cost. Such deferrals are a clear example of the pennywise. poundfoolish approach to budget reductions that was embedded In much of the administrations 1982 program. So that my colleagues may better understand the impact these cuts have on real people and real places. I ask unanimous consent that the Conference of Mayors survey be printed in the RECORD.
Date: 1981-12-01
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: 1981-12-01
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: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that I be recognized for 2 minutes. Way we please have order In the Chamber?
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. a motion to table Is a perfectly legitimate motion. I can recall the times when I was the majority leader when the minority raised quite a fuss about not being able to get upanddown votes. These are legitimate amendments and I think the Senate is entitled to vote up or down on at least some of them. I would urge that the majority consider letting us have upordown votes on amendments and just not move to table one after the other of these amendments. I say that hoping the majority will take that under advisement. I think the Senate is entitled to a vote. I think the people back home are entitled to know how our friends stand. up or down on these amendments. I say that recognizing that the Senator has every right to move to table If he wants to. But I would like to see some upordown votes. I would suggest that Senators not call up their amendments until they get ready to see them tabled. if we cannot get some understanding that we are going to have some upordown votes. I do not want to delay this bill. and there Is an interest. I am sure. on the part of the majority-.and I can appreciate thatin seeing this bill finished today. I can say. however. that there will be no time agreement on any amendments unless we can get upordown votes on at least some of them. I cannot stop any Senator from moving to table an amendment once It is up. but I would suggest that. until we get some understanding that we are at least going to get some upordown votes. we not call up our amendments until after we make our speeches on them. Otherwise. we will have our amendments tabled as I had mine tabled.
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I am sure that the distinguished acting Republican leader does not intend to say that the amendment I called up yesterday was a dilatory amendment. If I really wanted to be dilatory. I could call It up again. I could find a way to call up my amendment again.
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. reserving the right to object. will the distinguished Senator put a time limit on any amendment in the second degree?
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I rise in support of the amendment being offered by the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania . The Senate last considered the issue of railroad retirement in November. Senator METZENBAT offered an amendment to the second 1982 continuing resolution. which would have provided for restoration of full funding of the railroad retirement socalled "windfall" account at an annual rate of $440 million. The Senate accepted that amendment. In conference. Senate conferees agreed to a somewhat lower funding figure. However. as we all know. that funding measure was vetoed by President Reagan. There are some 400.000 retired railroad Workers in the United States who. about 2 months ago. found their monthly pension checks cut by an average of $20. when a 21percent reduction in socalled "windfall" benefits took effect. In talking of these retirees. for the most Part. we are speaking of workers who have depended upon the railroad retirement system for many years. We are speaking of a fixed group of individualspeople who were qualified both for railroad retirement and social security prior to 1974 when the Congress rewrote the railroad compensation law. When the Congress changed the law. the Congress made a commitment to Protect individuals already entitled to both railroad and social security retirement benefits. When the Congress established the separate socalled "windfall" Payment benefits account in the 1974 act. It assumed that future appropriations would be adequate to honor its promise to railroad retirees.
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have no quarrel with that. except that it might accommodate the Senate if. from time to time. other Senators were able to call up their amendments outside of the sequence which has been mentioned. I am working on a time agreement on this side. and I have discussed it briefly with the manager of the bill and the majority leader. I hope we can arrive at a time agreement that will see us complete action on this measure no later than a given hour tomorrow. However. I hope we will not sequence any other amendments at. this time. because it may expedite the actions on the entire measure if we do not lock ourselves in too tightly with sequential ordering of amendments.
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Reserving the right to object. and I personally do not object. Mr. President. I want the distinguished Senator from Arkansas to know that this will allow another perfecting amendment in the second degree to come in ahead of his substitute and be voted on ahead of his substitute. Is that agreeable with him?
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Further reserving the right to object. Mr. Presidcat. the Senator would not be guaranteed that he would get a vote on his substitute before the amendment in the first degree. however. because it Is a perfectIng anmendment.
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. and I shall not. it is mn understanding that the distinguished majority leader has reference to the amendment in the second degree.
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have the control of the time on thi~s side. I yield such time as he may desire from the time I control to the distinguished Senator from Arkansas.
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have had called to my attention a wire service item from United Press. It reads as follows: The Senate Republicans today foiled two more Democratic attempts led by Senator Ernest Hoilings to shift another $225 million away from the $2.4 billion requested by Reagan for the strategic bomber. rhe Senate today voted 54 to 36 to shelve amendments to use $77 million to restore reductions In the active forces of the Army and Air Force and killed 55 to 36 a $14 million proposal to bay more ammunition for the Army. rho amendments are part of a grouip of 15 that seek to delete the Bl funds by reallocating them to other defense programs. Mr. President. this Is an inaccurate statement. Not one of the amendments that have been called uip thus far by Democrats seeks to shift funds away from the Bi. Not a single amendment seeks to do that. The amendments have been called up thus far for the most part are addon amendments. They are:
Date: 1981-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I do not object on condition that the first rolleall last only 15 minutes. I believe Senator HOLLINas has to catch a plane. and I would like to have him vote on the second rollcall.
Date: 1981-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I believe the distinguished Senator from South Carolina was secking recognition to call up an amendment. I yield the floor. I would ask him to yield to me. If he is recognized by the Chair.
Date: 1981-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank. the Chair. Mr. President. I do not want to unduly prolong any discussion with reference to the problem which erupted just prior to the roilcali vote. I would hope that the tension In the atmosphere has subsided somewhat now and that we might now approach this matter with a little More calmness. I think it Is a matter that ought not go unheeded and unprotested. In lodging this protest. I do not intend to cast any reflection on the present occupant of the chair or upon the Parliamentarian. I believe that when Senators are vying with one another for recognition by the Chair. tensions Will. get aroused and the situation becomes overheated. In such a situation. the Chair may rule wrongly. the Parliamentarian mny advise the Chair wrongly. So I do not want to ascribe any invidious intention on eitherthe part of the Parliamentarian or the Chair. As I recall. I heard Mr. GLENN very clearly seeking recognition. I thought he sought recognition first before Mr. TOWER. The Chair can recognize any Senator in its oWn discretion. and the Chairs decision cannot be appealed. The prerogative of recognition Is probably the most powerful weapon in the whole parliamentary arsenal. I would rather have that prerogative of recognition than any other single prerogative because that prerogative can pretty much control any situation which arises here. at least for a time. I do not particularly find fault with the Chairs having recognized Mr. TOWER. Although Mr. GLENN did very loudly first seek recognition. the Chair recognized Senator TOWER. I am among the foremost in protecting the right of prior recognition of the majority leader. I think my friends on the minority side will remember one occasion when I probably exceeded the reasonable bounds of protest and vehemently lectured the Vice President. who sat in the chair. over his not recognizing Mr. BAKER. the then minority leader. I was right in the position I took. although as I reflected on it afterward I should have asked unanimous consent for the Vice President to address the body because he had no opportunity to respond to me. So I think I was unfair to him on that occasion. although I had not intended to be. because I felt that I was right. I subsequently apologized to him. So I will always be among the first to support recognition of the majority leader above anybody else in the Chamber. If I am seeking recognition at the time the majority leader Is seeking recognition and the Chair recognizes the majority leader. I have no quarrel with that. Or if I am a split second ahead of the majority leader or 2 seconds ahead of the majority leader and the Chair recognizes the majority leader. I have no quarrel with that because I would be expected to be treated the same if my party controlled the chair. However. I do not agree with the Chair that. once Mr. TOWER wvas recognized. the Chair could take the floor away from
Date: 1981-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

In just a inoment. Mr. President. With aill due respect to the present occupant of the chair. we cannot let matters like this go by without raising a protest. I just have to insist that those who sit in the chairwe do not claim any right to sit in the chair. because when I became majority leader. r took the pasition that inasmuch as the Democrats controlled the Senate. they had the responsibility to preside. So I do not question that prerogative of the Republican majority. That is their prerogative. that Is their responsibility. and I have no quarrel with that. But I must Insist on fairness by the Chair at all times. no matter who is in the chair. and by the Parliamentarian. because the minority does have some rights. We have to uphold those rights and it is in the interest of the majority to protect the rights of the minority. I have been watching for a considerable length of time and there have been several instances when I have seen Members on this side of the aisle seek recognition clearly in advance of a Senator on the other side of the aisleI am not talkIng about the majority leader or the majority whip--yet the Chair recognizedl a Senator on the other side of the aisle. Mr. President. moreover this business of having lists as to what Senator will be recognized next to call up an amendment has not place In the rule hook. There is no rule that will support that practice. The rule provides that the Chair shall recognize the first Senator who shall seek recognition. Two or three Senators may seek recognition at the same time. If I were in the chair. I would likely recognize a Senator on this side. If Senator PETER DOMENICI were in the chair. I would suspect that If two Senators were simultaneously seeking recognition. he would probably recognize the Senator on his side. But if Senator GLENN or Senator KENNEDY or Senator HOLLINGS or Senabtor NuNN stands up onl this side of the aisle and speaks loudly and clearly and. 2 seconds later. a Senator on that side stands up and speaks. I think the Senator on this side Is entitled to recognition. Mr. President. I simply say that because I do not want us to have these ruckuses. They do not do anything but slow down the operation of the Senate. They cause blood pressures to rise. and they contribute to acerbity in debate. and hard feelings. Although I am certain that such hard feelings never last. nevertheless I have to take this time to urge the majority that It bend over backwards in according the right of the minority to be recognized. I do not ask that the minority be given preference. I do not expect it to be. But I do hope that the rules will be followed and that the majority. which has the right to rule in this Chanmber. will not use that power to curb the rights of the minority or to make the minority feel that wve are being unfairly treated. Mr. President. I yield the floor.