[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 93 (Friday, June 21, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6657-S6658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     STALEMATE IN THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT/CAREERS ACT CONFERENCE

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I am deeply concerned by very partisan, 
political tone that is beginning to cloud deliberations over the 
Workforce Development/Careers Act legislation now in conference. The 
blame for this development cannot be placed at the doorstep of any 
individual or any political party. I am afraid that everyone is at 
fault, and that there is enough blame for everyone.
  I voted for the Senate bill in committee and on the floor. I did so 
for several reasons. It brought a sweeping reform and a consolidation 
of a multiplicity of existing programs that simply were not working 
very well. It represented a new and innovative Federal-State 
partnership in administering programs that are so very important to the 
education and training needs of our Nation. And most important to me, 
it contained a series of very strong vocational and adult education 
provisions.
  Unfortunately, the bill that is being developed in conference differs 
considerably from the one the Senate passed. The concept of a new 
Federal-State partnership that was a key element of the Senate bill is 
gone. The Senate provision that continued support for School To Work 
Programs appears doomed. A strong within-State formula that sends 
vocational education funds to those districts most in need is 
endangered.
  Equally important, the need for reform is being lost in a battle for 
political gain. The lines of differences are hardening, and there is an 
all-or-nothing attitude beginning to develop on all sides. We have a 
Republican majority in both Houses of Congress and a Democratic 
administration. Yet, instead of a good give and take, instead of 
compromises in which both sides, we are reaching a stalemate that 
literally ignores the needs of millions of adult and young people who 
need these education and training services and who could rightfully 
care less who gets the credit.
  Mr. President, I deeply regret this situation. I would implore both 
sides to erase the lines that have been drawn in the sand, and get back 
to the table in a serious spirit of bipartisanship. I would urge my 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle to refrain from anything that 
might be labeled a ``Republican'' bill. I would urge my fellow 
Democrats in both the Congress and the administration to refrain from 
an uncompromising insistence on provisions that will ultimately doom 
this

[[Page S6658]]

important legislation. I would ask everyone to lay their political 
labels aside and move ahead with one thing in mind: the need to produce 
a good bill that helps Americans who need our help.

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