[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 61 (Monday, April 3, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5083-S5084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I would like to report to the Senate on 
 [[Page S5084]] the status of the telecommunications bill. On March 23, 
the Commerce Committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of the 
Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1995.
  It is my strongest hope now that we can get this bill up for action 
on the floor this week, before the recess. The danger in delay is that 
it could be picked apart by the various interest groups.
  This bill would be a roadmap for investment for the next 15 years, 
until the wireless age. There will be an explosion of investment if we 
pass it. The benefits to consumers will be tremendous.
  I wish to urge Members of the Senate and the various interests and 
consumer groups that are lobbying and working on this bill to remember 
that if we give one group a special consideration, then we have to give 
it to others.
  It seems that everybody wants to have a bill. CEO's all say they want 
a bill; the administration wants a bill. But we will not have a bill 
unless we have some cooperation and everyone working together. That has 
been my message.
  So I do hope we get the telecommunications bill up this week. If not, 
we will pass it later--but it is far better to act sooner than later. I 
would implore the various interests in this country which are following 
this bill to work together. This is the sort of bill that is not on 
every American citizen's mind every day, but I think it is the most 
important bill for our country's economy in the Congress today. It is 
up to those of us in the Senate and the House and the White House to 
work together cooperatively. I look forward to doing that.

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