[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 98 (Friday, June 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMPLIMENTS TO THE MAJORITY LEADER AND MANAGERS OF THE BILL

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, at the conclusion of this week, I 
compliment the majority leader, Senator Lott, for his leadership and 
tireless efforts to get a lot of things moving. After a long week, a 
lot of work was done to complete, for all practical purposes, the 
Department of Defense bill, which we will be voting on early when we 
return.
  Also, I wish to compliment Senator Daschle and Senator Nunn, as well 
as Senator Thurmond, Senator McCain, and Senator Warner for their 
leadership in passing this very important bill. They have put in a lot 
of effort and time in the last couple of days. Some were wondering 
whether or not we would be able to pass the bill.
  In addition, I compliment the majority leader, because during the 
process this week, he was able to break the logjam on the minimum wage 
bill. Again, that was one that we have been wrestling with for a long 
time, and we will be voting on that when we return for debate on July 8 
and a vote on the July 9, as well as action on the TEAM bill. I 
compliment him on that.
  It is a little disappointing that we have not yet made greater 
progress on the so-called health bill, the Kassebaum-Kennedy bill. As a 
matter of fact, there has been an objection placed by Democrat Members 
on appointing conferees. That is very unusual. It has been 40 some days 
now that they have opposed appointing conferees on that piece of 
legislation. I hope they will reconsider. I heard Senator Kennedy 
speaking on that earlier today. He was critical of the medical savings 
accounts provisions. I think we made a very generous offer on medical 
savings accounts. Hopefully, that will be resolved and we can complete 
action on that bill which will solve a lot of problems for preexisting 
illnesses and coverage for small business, allowing deductibility. That 
is important legislation that is broadly supported by Congress. 
Hopefully, we will have appointees and go to conference.
  By and large, I compliment the majority leader. He has had a very 
active and successful week.

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