[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    THE DECISION TO ABOLISH CAUCUSES

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, the decision by the House Republican 
Conference to abolish legislative service organizations brings to an 
end the proud and productive history of the Arms Control and Foreign 
Policy Caucus.
  With regret that the caucus will not be able to play a role at this 
critical time of debate over the role of U.S. foreign policy in the 
post-cold-war world, the caucus will cost its doors in 1995. We are 
pursuing the possibility of establishing a new private entity to 
perform certain caucus roles, but at this time we plan to transfer 
caucus papers to the Legislative Archives Center of the National 
Archives. We also plan to transfer any unobligated caucus funds to the 
Treasury.
  For 30 years this bipartisan caucus--formerly named Members of 
Congress for Peace through Law--has played a constructive role on 
issues of war and peace in our time: in the 1960's it opposed the war 
in Vietnam; in the 1970's and 1980's it championed efforts for nuclear 
arms control; in the 1980's it built a powerful congressional coalition 
seeking negotiated solutions to the wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua; 
and in the 1990's it sought to focus on the post-cold war problems of 
weapons proliferation and the need for a strengthened United Nations. 
Throughout, it has also worked to promote human rights and improve the 
economic situation of peoples in the developing world.
  Its record in providing legislative services is also a proud one: 
during the 103d Congress alone, the caucus issued 150 legislative 
alerts and reports, over 30 special issue reports and fact sheets, and 
3 in-depth comprehensive policy reports. It also hosted 10 meetings for 
Members or staff with outside experts. Claims by LSO opponents that 
LSO's are simply special interest groups with little legislative 
function are, certainly in this case, patently untrue.
  Finally, throughout its history, the Arms Control and Foreign Policy 
Caucus has upheld the strictest standards of financial accountability 
and has fully complied with LSO regulations and reporting.
  On behalf of the 125 caucus members, I express our hope that in some 
way, even without a support staff to coordinate our efforts, will be 
able to continue the distinguished tradition of acting in a bipartisan 
and bicameral manner to pursue the goal of a more peaceful world.

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